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Spinal decompression surgery for Atim: covering what insurance won't

Atim needs spinal decompression surgery at Mwanza General Hospital and the family is $550 short of the hospital's estimate.

🇹🇿 Mwanza, Mwanza, Tanzania1,576 views
Salim Salim Mutebi
Email verifiedPhoto verified
Mwanza
Atim was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the right knee in August. The surgeon at Mwanza General Hospital recommended spinal decompression surgery, and She is scheduled for October. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $730, and after what our health plan will pay we're still $550 short. my mother has been in and out of Mwanza General Hospital since August. The doctors say osteoarthritis in the right knee will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $730 is more than we can find. While we wait, Atim struggles with daily life and can't stand for more than ten minutes. Her family has taken turns caring for her, and I've cut my own work hours to be there. Rehabilitation is expected to take about 6 weeks. During that time Atim won't be able to stand for more than ten minutes, so the costs keep growing. The money goes straight to the treatment bills, and I'll share the invoices as they're paid so you can see exactly what your gift did. Where the $550 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $440 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $80 • Travel and lodging for the family: $30 Thank you for reading my story. - Salim
due date
2026-10-28
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Salim

  1. 9% there. I made the first payment toward pre-operative tests and imaging. Thank you.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
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  • Eduardo K. Estrada 🇺🇸 · $10

    “Get well soon - Warren”

  • Anonymous 🇮🇩 · $20

    “Sending love. Thought of Atim all day after reading this.”

Reviews

3.6(8 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Mathieu Raphaël Jean🇫🇷Verified donor
    Patient and understanding

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Julia Elisabeth Dietrich🇩🇪Verified donor
    Changed my perspective

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

  • Omer Danish Farooqi🇵🇰Verified helper
    Truly grateful for the support

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Rina Sharmila Paul🇧🇩Verified helper
    Quick response, great follow-up

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Luca Lucas🇺🇸Verified donor
    Exceeded expectations

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Habtamu Eyob Tilahun🇪🇹Verified donor
    Helped when no one else could

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • David Kipchoge Maina🇰🇪Verified helper
    Quick response, great follow-up

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Hiroshi Takashi Ito🇯🇵Verified helper
    Changed my perspective

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

Questions & comments

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  • Sneha Chheda

    Hope you get there. My neighbor in Bogotá donated after I showed her your page. Thinking of Mwanza.

    • Filip ChmielewskiPhoto verified

      Sending good thoughts, Salim. Hope you get there. Take care

      • Sofía S. Rojas

        best of luck. Hope this works out for you. I have a 17 year old who wants to send good wishes too. All the best

        • Bianca Aparecida Bezerra

          Thanks for sharing this, Salim. Get well soon. Love from Thane

          • Rubel Bappy Khan

            shared it with a few friends. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected. Blessings.

            • Tatiana Zlata Smirnov

              Rooting for you. Wishing Atim a smooth procedure and a full recovery. Blessings.

              • Mateo E. Ibáñez

                Sending strength, Salim. Wishing Atim a smooth procedure and a full recovery. Greetings from Vigo

                • Reagan J. Jensen

                  Praying for you. Get well soon. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Greetings from Dodoma.

                  • Mutua Mwende Kamau

                    Best of luck, Salim. Gave what I could, wish it was more.

                    • Irfan Gunawan Simanjuntak

                      Stay strong, Salim. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. After 28 years in retail I know how hard it's to ask for anything.

                      • Walker Brooks

                        Take care, Salim. Looking forward to the next update. Sent it to 32 people at work. Greetings from Mesa.

                        $259 raised of $550

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