Physical Health Afghanistan Project #67669

Heal Spines - Heal Futures in Afghanistan!

by French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children

Project Report | Jul 18, 2025
From Pain to Possibility: Overcoming Spinal TB

By Sultan Ahmed | Project Leader

Picture Before the Treatment

Restoring Lives, One Spine at a Time: The Transformative Power of Hope and Healing

At the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), healing is more than just a medical intervention; it is a journey of restoring dignity, function, and hope. For many families in Afghanistan, serious health conditions such as Spinal Tuberculosis (TB) are not only medical crises but also social and financial burdens that can shatter lives. Yet, with timely support and compassionate care, lives can be profoundly changed. Thanks to the support of generous donors, even small contributions can yield a life-changing impact. The story of Sadruddin is a powerful testament to this truth.

A Miraculous Transformation: Sadruddin’s Rescue from the Brink of Paralysis

Sadruddin’s family had visited multiple hospitals across Kabul, searching for a solution to his worsening spinal condition. Their son’s spinal deformity had reached a critical stage, with weakening legs and a looming threat of paraplegia. It was FMIC that provided a beacon of hope when all others had failed.

Comprehensive clinical and radiological assessments confirmed the worst: Spinal TB had destroyed two thoracic vertebrae, compressing his spinal cord. Without immediate surgical intervention, paralysis was imminent.

What followed was a pioneering two-stage surgery that showcased FMIC’s medical excellence. The first stage involved a thoracotomy to clean out the infection and apply bone grafts harvested from Sadruddin’s ribs. In the second stage, surgeons performed posterior arthrodesis with instrumentation to realign and stabilize the spine. The operation demanded extraordinary precision and coordination skills rarely found in many hospitals within the country.

Post-surgery, Sadruddin’s transformation was extraordinary. He walked again, pain-free and upright, restored not only in body but also in spirit. His recovery brought indescribable joy to his family and inspired many others battling similar conditions.

The Broader Impact: 800,000 Lives and Counting

These are not isolated stories. FMIC has, over the years, supported more than 800,000 patients, delivering healthcare services with a cumulative impact of over USD 59 million. Each number in that statistic represents a human life touched, a family comforted, and a future reclaimed.

Behind every restored spine, every mended heart, and every healed child is a community of generous individuals whose donations, no matter how small, have helped build hope. These contributions have enabled FMIC to invest in advanced medical procedures, support low-income patients, and attract skilled professionals to serve where they are needed most.

Your Role in the Journey of Healing

The spine surgery program is just one example of how FMIC continues to serve the people of Afghanistan with dignity and dedication. Whether you are a first-time donor or a long-standing supporter, your generosity plays a vital role in this mission. Through platforms such as GlobalGiving, we have been able to expand our reach and restore lives that once seemed beyond help.

Sadruddin now stands tall, not just because of surgical success, but because of the compassionate global community that believed in their right to health and healing. Together, we can continue to turn pain into hope and despair into determination.

Thank you for standing with us in this journey.

Picture After the Treatment

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Mar 20, 2025
A Triumph Over Spine TB: Restoring Life & Hope

By Sultan Ahmed | Project Leader

Ali Jawad’s Struggle: A Life Turned Upside Down

For two long years, Ali Jawad, a young man in his early twenties, endured crippling pain and physical deformity due to a debilitating condition that few could understand or recognize. What began as a seemingly innocuous back pain soon spiraled into a life-altering struggle. Ali’s spine twisted and deformed, leaving him in constant agony and unable to perform even the most basic tasks. His once-vibrant life was overshadowed by the agony of suffering, as his condition worsened day by day. The pain was unbearable, and despite months of medications and treatments, his health continued to deteriorate.

In a country where advanced medical care is often limited and the path to diagnosis is a lengthy one, Ali’s condition went undiagnosed for months. It wasn’t until the pain became too severe to ignore that a comprehensive series of tests were conducted, including X-rays, MRIs, and blood work, which ultimately revealed the devastating truth: Ali was suffering from Spinal Tuberculosis, also known as Pott’s Disease.

The Challenge of Spinal Tuberculosis: A Critical Condition

Spinal TB is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that occurs when tuberculosis bacteria infect the spine, causing severe inflammation, destruction of vertebrae, and the collapse of the spinal structure. In Ali’s case, two vertebrae in his thoracic spine had been destroyed, leading to a pronounced kyphosis, or spinal deformity, which not only caused extreme physical pain but also risked the complete collapse of his spine.

This rare and complex condition required immediate and expert intervention. Without prompt treatment, Ali could face permanent disability, paralysis, or even death. For Ali, and countless others in similar situations, access to advanced medical care was limited, and the road to recovery seemed daunting. The standard treatment options in many hospitals across Afghanistan did not have the capacity to address such a critical condition.

A Life-Saving Surgery: The Expert Intervention

Recognizing the gravity of Ali’s situation, the medical team at the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) in Kabul, under the guidance of renowned spinal surgeon Dr. Mirza Mohammad Nijrabi, stepped in to provide a solution. After conducting an exhaustive evaluation, it became clear that the only viable option for restoring Ali’s health and quality of life was a highly specialized and intricate surgery: Posterior Vertebral Column Resection with fixation.

This complex procedure, which is rarely performed in Afghanistan, involved removing the infected and destroyed vertebrae, realigning the spine, and stabilizing it with specialized instrumentation. The surgery was delicate, requiring a high level of expertise and precision to prevent further damage to Ali’s spinal cord and to restore the integrity of his spine.

The risks associated with such an advanced surgery were immense, but the alternative was clear: without intervention, Ali’s pain would worsen, and his spinal deformity would continue to escalate, leading to irreversible consequences. With the combined efforts of FMIC’s highly skilled surgical team, Ali underwent the operation.

A Successful Outcome: Restoring Health and Hope

The surgery, performed with meticulous care and precision, was a resounding success. Ali’s pain, which had been a constant and unbearable companion for two years, was finally alleviated. The deformity in his spine was corrected, and the vertebrae were realigned, providing much-needed stability and relief.

After the surgery, Ali’s road to recovery was swift and remarkable. Within weeks, he was able to resume his daily activities and live without the constant pain that had previously defined his existence. During his follow-up visit, Ali’s parents were overjoyed to see their son free from pain and able to lead a normal life once again. Ali’s transformation was nothing short of a miracle, and his success story stands as a testament to the incredible capabilities of modern medical techniques and the dedication of the team at FMIC.

Restoring Dignity and Potential: The Impact of the Surgery

Ali’s recovery marked a profound shift in his life, from a person whose world had been consumed by pain and limitations to someone who could once again embrace his future with hope and possibility. His physical transformation not only relieved his immediate suffering but also allowed him to reclaim his independence, dignity, and self-worth.

This surgery did not just restore Ali’s health; it restored his potential. Once unable to participate in daily activities, Ali now walks with confidence, pain-free, and with the opportunity to fulfill his ambitions—something that seemed impossible just months earlier.

FMIC Patient Welfare: Supporting Thousands in Need

Ali’s story is just one among many that reflect the life-changing impact of FMIC’s medical care. The FMIC Patient Welfare Department has been a critical source of support, providing over 800,000 patients with access to high-quality, life-saving healthcare services. This department works tirelessly to assist those in need of urgent medical treatment, offering financial support to families who might otherwise be unable to afford critical procedures. Thanks to their efforts, patients like Ali have a chance at life, free from the burden of illness and disability.

The Power of Generosity: GlobalGiving’s Impact

Ali’s journey of recovery would not have been possible without the support of GlobalGiving and its generous donors. The financial contributions made through GlobalGiving enable FMIC to provide exceptional care to patients like Ali, offering them a chance at recovery, restoration, and a brighter future.

The role of donors cannot be overstated. Through their contributions, individuals and organizations from around the world have helped provide access to surgeries, treatments, and essential services that have transformed lives across Afghanistan. Every donation made through platforms like GlobalGiving directly supports the critical work FMIC is doing, helping to ensure that no patient is left behind, regardless of their financial circumstances.

A Call to Action: Making a Difference

Ali’s recovery is just one of many success stories made possible through the generosity of those who choose to contribute to FMIC’s mission. The need for continued support is critical, as there are many more patients in Afghanistan who, like Ali, require life-saving treatments and procedures.

By contributing to GlobalGiving, donors play an essential role in providing quality healthcare and making a profound difference in the lives of individuals like Ali. Their generosity is helping to ensure that FMIC can continue its mission of providing exceptional care to the people of Afghanistan, transforming lives and offering hope where there was once despair.

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