My ill-health and nostalgic memories of Kagera War

Amani Ngume, 73, luckily escaped the Kagera war in 1979 however, as he tried to take cover, a disease followed him. He believes, this was the source of the trouble that has now haunted him for decades.

Recently, as he sought treatment at Sanitas Hospital in Dar es Salaam, he recalled the nostalgic days of the war that was fought to oust Ugandan dictator, Idd Amin.

But, he shared his two wishes. “My wish is that no other person should ever suffer the way I did, but also treatment [for this illness] must be accessible to all,’’ says Mr Ngume, a resident of Morogoro Region.

Ngume, is among several patients who have been seeking relief for a condition known as elephantiasis which is estimated to affect over 6 million people in Tanzania.

Doctors at Sanitas Hospital say a unique treatment known as Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT), can help restore the health of people afflicted by the condition, whereby the medics apply bandaging and compress the swollen part of the body to drain the fluid. Toady, Ngume tells his story of hope and pain.

The jet bombers

“It all began in the Wera Swamps of Masaka District in Uganda,’’ he begins, curtain-raising his story of agony with swelling and painful legs.

“The Jet Bombers of Idi Amin bombarded the town badly, we fled for cover into the Wera Swamps and hid there for 48 hours,’’ he says.

“… in all that dampness I was wet. After the coast was clear, I [and the whole group of us] emerged, we were all wet. We removed our socks and boots to dry them out and our legs…”

“At the time I felt something wrong with my legs. It__ was as though my legs somehow contracted. After drying, we donned on our gear. At that time I did not notice anything. Much later, like 10 years, I was feeling something but I ignored it.”

“In the year 2005 I started feeling some kind of movement in my legs but didn’t notice it much. I then went to a few hospitals and was given [some tablets] but got no relief for a whole year…”

Journey to Dar es Salaam

“Then I came to Dar es Salaam and met a Professor at Tumaini Hospital who examined me and gave me some medicine. He was the first doctor to tell me there was something wrong.”

“He said I was suffering the same thing as a Brigadier that he once knew. There is no medicine for it he said. I did not give up, I tried going to other hospitals, received medicines but no one actually identified my problem.”

“In 2008, I happened to be examined by a doctor in Morogoro and he told me I have a disease called elephantiasis. Again he said there is no medicine for it but cautioned me that I am allergic to rubber boots / shoes. So I had to throw away my gumboots. My leg continued to swell up…”

“I was in a lot of pain, my leg was swollen. The pain would come with extremely high fever. My leg hardened like a piece of wood...”

“Then my leg developed some kind of dips or holes and fluid was oozing out of them. Between my toes there was some foul smelling decay.”

“Then came a day my lower back gave extreme pain, I could not eat, sleep or stand. My vision started to dim.”

“Then my leg felt completely heavy and skin from my foot and leg was peeling, I could not keep it down. Hard skin, dark coloured skin.”

“I couldn’t work anymore. I used to tend to my vegetable garden and then I had a transport business.

I had to give up my livelihood because of this!

I couldn’t cope with my business, my business collapsed. I was getting more and more sick. At home I couldn’t move much. Too much pain, fever, heaviness.”

“Then in 2016, at a hospital in Morogoro, I met a doctor, Mama Fupi, who examined me and gave me some injections and medicines which got me a little relief.”

“I could walk a little more but still not much. Then I developed more pain in the sides of my abdomen, I was rushed to Morogoro hospital then referred to the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) only to be told that my prostate was enlarged. I was also told I am diabetic. So I got medication from the urology department.”

Radio message that helped me

“Then early this year my nephew in Bagamoyo heard a program on radio about a hospital – Sanitas Hospital running a treatment physiotherapy program for elephantiasis that was spearheaded by an American.”

“Now, with me, as I was told, there is no medication for this disease, so I ignored it. However, I kept this message in my notebook.”

“Then mid this year, my leg felt so bad, the pain so extreme, that I could not eat or do anything. I could not put down my leg it was just too heavy and swollen up, and this fluid was pouring out of my leg. It was like a huge broken pipe! I had high fever.”

“It was then that I searched out my nephew to ask for details of such treatment. My nephew called [at Sanitas Hospital] the number that was issued during the radio program, [I was given] advice which resulted in him [my nephew] going to Sanitas to speak with one, Dr Charles.

Treatment at Sanitas

“I came to Sanitas hospital…and I started receiving treatment. I can put my leg down…The fluid stopped oozing…My leg is feeling lighter, I can walk better now…I have no fever…”

“The compression bandaging, although it hurts but it is helping a great deal…”

“This is my second program of treatment and I feel good. [I wish this treatment gets known in Morogoro], there are so many of us who are suffering and need it…” “My message to fellow victims of this disease out there is where ever you are, arrangements should be made for this disease to be managed, even if there is no [complete cure], there is relief. I have suffered a lot and wouldn’t want someone else to suffer like me.”