Child Name: Hiwot Birhanu
Mother Name: Haimanot Birhanu
Hiwot Birhanu comes from a place called Bahir Dar, Amhara region 485 km from Addis. Haimanot noticed that her daughter has some serious issues after Hiwot lost her teeth while she was eating Mango. Then her cheek swell and other teeth was also getting lose. Then she took her to a clinic nearby and did not have much solution, she visited three clinics and finally one doctor told her they need to pull the tooth out. So she took her to Felege Hiwot hospital and they said she needs to go to Addis Ababa. They referred her to St. Paul Hospital in Addis Ababa. Within a week they did surgery in one side jaw and metal was inserted she has lost. After one month she was sent to Onco pathology she was diagnosis with osteosarcoma after the diagnosis they order eight round Chemotherapy.
Haimanot has spent more than 200,000 Birr (USD 3,300). Haimanot, Hiwot’s mother used to work in the middle east and she was hoping to open a Beauty Salon. Her dreams were shattered by her daughter illness. She used her money for treatment and all related costs, she stayed in a hotel during the treatment. She did not have community based insurance to cover for the treatment and she thought she can afford the treatment. But her money was all spent and at certain stage she told the doctors she is not able to afford treatment and she has to stop. Then she was linked to TAPCCO psychologist Dagim Misgannaw who was able to send her to TAPCCO home. Hiwot is now on good stage, she is one month appointment. She is now referred to Bahir Dar Hospital and will do her follow up there.
Haimanot said, “Thank you for saving my child’s life, she is my only child and I do everything for her. My life saving is gone but I have my daughter back. I am lucky that I was able to pay for the treatment at the beginning and when I run out of option I got TAPCCO/ASLAN support. I was not worried about where to stay, eat, and pay for medicine, transport and other issues. I have no way to pay you back for all your good deeds except praying for you that may God grant you all good things in life, protect you from harm and may He gives you strength to serve more people like us.”
