Triza Namalwa W., 14

Triza is a 14-year-old girl, the youngest of five children raised by her mother, Milka Namalwa. Her father abandoned the family, leaving Milka as the sole provider. Triza deeply admires her mother’s determination to support their financially struggling household. She is currently in Grade 8 at a local school and dreams of becoming a doctor one day to give back to her community and care for her chronically ill mother. Triza balances her academics with household chores, returning home late each afternoon to study and help at home. She is a bright and determined student with a promising future—yet her health condition poses a significant challenge. When she was 8 years old, her mother noticed a small, painless swelling behind Triza’s left knee. It appeared harmless at the time. However, by age 11, the swelling began causing discomfort. She was taken to a local dispensary and later referred to a higher-level hospital where surgical excision was performed. Unfortunately, within a month, two new swellings developed in the same area, accompanied by pain. Triza was eventually brought to our facility for further evaluation. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, and she was re-admitted for surgical excision of a neurofibroma. Despite her health challenges, Triza remains hopeful and committed to her education and future goals. She remained in the ward for a period of time while receiving physiotherapy to restore function and mobility in the affected limb before being discharged.

Surgery was done successfully, physiotherapy was done too and the child is able to walk now. She was discharged home ,to come for review after a week.

Prognosis is good. The girl was admitted to the semiprivate wing and surgery done Without this timely intervention, the condition could have led to tumors to grow through the body leading to cancer.