Intro
Hello Everyone,
Here is the latest update about Mphatso, with photos and videos included.
We are still raising funds for his continued care in 2023, including a major surgery in 3 months to address the most prominent portion of the tumor on his cheek. Please read on for details and thank you so much!
Warmly,
Ali Pinschmidt
Ways to Donate
·Mail a check to AHA, PO Box 57, Boone, North Carolina 28607 Attn: Mphatso’s Care) (no fees taken out)
·AHA Website (small fee deducted)
·Venmo: @accesshealthafrica.org (small fee deducted)
The Details
On January 11, AHA Program Manager Angela and AHA Volunteer Jonathan visited Mphatso and his mother Aida at the Mercy James Hospital in Malawi. Mphatso had been there for well over six weeks following surgery #2a, then receiving treatment for a post-surgery infection, and finally receiving surgery #2b to close the open wound on his head from surgery #2a. Thank you to Angela and Jonathan for taking a ton of photos and videos so we could see Mphatso and his family and get a glimpse into the hospital where Mphatso has been getting care.
While it may be hard to see Mphatso's progress from afar (at least for me!), it was clear to Angela and Jonathan during their in-person visit that Mphatso's facial tumor has decreased in size in some areas of his face and head, and that his speech has improved. We’re very excited about this report!
Angela met briefly with Professor Borgstein, the surgeon in charge of Mphatso's plan of care; the next step is for Mphatso to return in about three months to have major surgery #3, which will focus on the main portion of his vascular tumor. Surgery #3 will likely have the most visible impact on Mphatso’s face.
The week before Angela's visit, Mphato's mom Aida became very sick, and was admitted to the non-pediatric hospital ward at Mercy James. Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of Mphatso’s supporters, AHA Nurse Christina organized transportation for Aida's sister, Maness, from Tete, Mozambique to Blantyre to care for Mphatso and his mother, so you will see her in some of these photos. AHA also arranged for Aida's phone to be repaired to allow for continued communication.
Mphatso was finally discharged on Jan 13th after almost two months at the hospital. You will see from the photos and videos that the hospital is a bright place, but that resources are still a fraction of what you might find in a US based hospital.
If you would like to help support Mphatso and his family by covering transportation, food, and coordination of care costs for the next year and beyond, please consider donating.
Zikomo.
Thank you!
Photos
Videos
AHA Volunteer Jonathan welcomes us all to Mercy James Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi.
Jonathan wraps up everything we learned during this trip: Mphatso is recovering well from Surgery #2 and will return in three months for Surgery #3 that will focus on his mouth and left cheek.
Your support allows Mphatso and his family to travel between home and Mercy James, eat balanced meals between hospital stays, and stay in touch with the AHA team. Zikomo, Thank You.
Mphatso is sad that schools are currently closed due to the cholera outbreak. He mostly misses writing.
The rain won’t stop these two from swinging!