Case Stories Addis Ababa Program
Child Name: Abi Muluneh
Father Name: Kes Muluneh Yehun
Abi is a fourteen year old boy from a place called Bekeflot Yohannes, Awi zone, Amhara
Region 465 km from Addis Ababa. Abi condition started five years ago, his father saw a
small swelling around his neck. The father took him to a hospital near their home, the
doctors gave him tablets. There was no improvement in after he took the tablets so they went back to
consult the doctors.
They gave him more medication that has not still worked finally after
three visits they referred him to Bahirdar Hospital. The hospital in Bahirdar referred him to
Tikur Anbessa Hospital within a day. They told him this is urgent so he took Abi to Tikur
Anbessa. Within three days they were told that Abi has stage II HL, then after a week he
stared chemotherapy.
Kes Muluneh is a priest in his locality looking after the church and had
a lot of responsibilities. Though he knew that his child condition is serious he never thought
the treatment would take such a lengthy period. He came to Addis with all he had and
contribution from family and friends. He had spent 60,000 Birr (USD 1,000) within six month for all in
diagnostics, food, and hotel. He used the cheapest hotel and basic meal and in a day he spent 900 birr (USD
15).
Then he was about to give up and he remembered the education session at the hospital that there is an
organization that support patient and families. He asked one of the hospital staff and she connected him
with Bekalu Arega TAPCCO psychologist. He came to TAPCCO home that day and from then on all his
needs have been fulfil. Now Abi and his dad come every six months to Addis for his checkups and now the
situation is not good. They had traveled for three days to reach Addis which was only a day before the
conflict in Amhara Region. Strengthening the regional hospitals is a good move and helps the children and
their family to access treatment easily.
He said, “My child developed a condition in his skin that has become a big sore and I was referred to
ALERT and the treatment took more than a month, all those time TAPCCO/ASLAN support was there.
Without their perseverance I would not made it the dark days and difficult time. They always stand with me
and helped me to focus on my child health. Thank you TAPCCO/ASLAN for all your kind heart and
helping my child get well. Now Abi is 14 years old and back to school, his condition is all gone and I have
six month appointment. I asked the doctors to refer me back to Bahir Dar in the satellite clinics as now a
days traveling to Addis has become difficult due to the conflict in the region. I am hoping the help of
TAPCCO/ASLAN will continue and expand to the regions as well. God Bless you and your work. Be the
light for the children and the parents in the cancer journey.”
