We believe healthcare should never depend on where a child is born.
At just eight months old, Zane has already faced challenges no child should endure.
Shortly after birth, he became seriously unwell, suffering seizures that led doctors to diagnose communicating hydrocephalus—a condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up around the brain, placing dangerous pressure on delicate brain tissue.
Without specialist treatment, the condition can continue to worsen, affecting development and placing Zane’s life at risk.
Doctors at Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital in Bali have recommended urgent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery, a procedure that diverts excess fluid away from the brain to relieve pressure and protect normal brain function.
Unfortunately, this life-saving surgery is not available on Sumba.
It means Zane and his family must travel to Bali for specialist treatment, surgery and several weeks of recovery before they can safely return home.
At The Sumba Foundation, we believe healthcare should never depend on where a child is born.
While our clinics provide essential primary healthcare across rural Sumba, some conditions require specialist treatment beyond what is available on the island.
When those moments arise, families often face an impossible reality: finding a way to access life-saving care hundreds of kilometres from home.
Zane is one of those children.
Thank you to our photographer and long-time foundation supporter Jason Childs for capturing this special event. For more images, check out this post on our Instagram.
