2020-2021: Amine Bouhalil

Amine Bouhali will be remembered for his smile, continuous courage, determination, and never given up hope of a recovery and that of his family and all those who supported him throughout his ordeal.

Amine Bouhali was suffering from a gigantic lymphedema (also called Elephantiasis) on his right leg. The 24-year-old was referred to MAHF by AeChiffa Assocation of Medea. After reviewing the case, Dr. Stambouli found a promising treatment at the Lympho Opt Clinic in Nuremberg, Germany. Doctors at that time believed Amine will be able to walk again after a three month-long treatment based on the initial diagnostic made by the Algerian local doctors.

We fundraised in collaboration with the Aechiffa association and the Worldwide Algerian Healthcare Alliance (WAHA) to help Amine and his family overcome the cost of his overseas treatment.  

Amine was initially transported to Germany for treatment where he stayed 7 months at the Lympho-Clinic hospital. His case was more severe as initially thought. Despite multiple treatment attempts, his illness could not be cured and he was subsequently moved to Madrid, Spain for a skilled surgery attempt to amputate his leg. Unfortunately, Amine’s weak condition did not allow him to survive the intensive surgery.

Our sincere condolences go to his family.

As a result of this case and in light of the many other patients suffering from similar lymphatic conditions in Algeria, a specialized clinic is currently under construction in his name in Medea under the supervision of Aechiffa Association.

(Update as of August 19th, 2021 )
It is with a heavy heart that the Board of Directors of the Maghreb American Health Foundation expresses its profound sadness at the passing of Amine Bouhalil during surgery .
Inna Lillahi wa inna Illayhi Rajioune.
We will never forget his determination and that of his family and all those who supported him throughout his ordeal with this debilitating disease.
Our sincère condolences go to his family.
With help from the larger community, Amine was initially transported to Germany for treatment where he stayed 7 months at the Lympho-Clinic hospital. Despite multiple treatment attempts, his illness could not be cured and he was subsequently moved to Madrid, Spain for an another surgery attempt. Unfortunately, Amine’s weak condition did not allow him to survive the intensive surgery.
Amine will be remembered for his smile and continuous courage and determination, never having given up hope of a recovery.
As a result of his case and in light of the many other patients suffering from similar lymphatic conditions in Algeria, a specialized clinic is currently under construction in Medea under the supervision of Aechiffa Association.
The Board
 

Background

Amine Bouhali is suffering from a gigantic lymphedema (also called Elephantiasis) on his right leg. The 24 year old was referred to MAHF by El Chiffa Assocation of Medea - and we quickly got to work. After reviewing the case, we have found a promising treatment at the Lympho Opt Clinic in Nuremberg, Germany. Doctors believe Amine will be able to walk again after a three month-long treatment.

We fundraised to help Amine and his family overcome the cost of his overseas treatment, which is why we requested your financial help. With the generosity of our community we raised the necessary $50,000 USD, to help Amine walk again..

Your contributions will help subsidize Amine's 3-month treatment as well as his medical air transportation to Germany.

  • Before Take-off

https://www.facebook.com/aechifaa.asso/videos/3936168253083812/

  • Aechiffa’s post

https://www.facebook.com/100000720287311/posts/3938550426178928/?d=n

Amine admitted at the clinic <… we wish him a speedy recovery

Thank You

The Board of Directors of the Maghreb-American Health Foundation is thrilled to announce that the fundraising currently underway to benefit Amine Bouhalli has reached its goal of $50,000. This is a major achievement, and we should all be very proud.

While we no longer need additional funds for this particular cause, we will continue to accept donations for future projects and initiatives.

We are so humbled and grateful by the quick and strong support provided by the community for this patient. This demonstrates the humanity in all of us.

On behalf of Amine, we thank you very much for your generous contributions.

Sincerely,

The Board

 
 
 
 

Merci

Le conseil d'administration de la Maghreb-American Health Foundation est ravi d'annoncer que la levée de fonds actuellement en cours au profit d'Amine Bouhalli a atteint son objectif de 50 000 USD. C'est une réalisation majeure et nous devrions tous en être très fiers.

Bien que nous n'ayons plus besoin de fonds supplémentaires pour cette cause, nous continuons d'accepter des dons pour nos futurs projets et initiatives.

Nous sommes très honorés et particulièrement reconnaissants du soutien rapide et solide fourni par la communauté à ce patient. Cela démontre l'humanité en chacun de nous.

Au nom d'Amine, nous vous remercions beaucoup pour vos généreuses contributions.

Cordialement,

Le Conseil d’Administration

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

First Tentative to airlift

Picking up Amine from home

Picking up Amine from home

Helicopter

Helicopter

Amine inside the helicopter

Amine inside the helicopter

Private medical jet waiting Amine at HB Internation airport

Private medical jet waiting Amine at HB Internation airport

Amine's dad just arriving at the clinic in Germany

Amine's dad just arriving at the clinic in Germany

German clinic

German clinic

Amine admitted in the Clinic

Amine admitted in the Clinic

Amine+at+the+clinic.jpg

Previous Post as of April 21, 2021

IThe board is thrilled to announce that Amine has been airlifted and admitted to the specialized clinic in Germany on Thursday January 14, 2021. The first attempt to airlift him with a commercial airline had failed because seats could not be adjusted to accommodate his condition. The company AlRayane Healthcare, a private medical charter flight was used to transport him to Germany free of charge.

In this regard, we would like to thank all who have contributed to make this operation successful with a particular mention AlRayane Healthcare, the paramedics and the firefighters of Medea, the Algerian authority and the numerous anonymous who worked behind the scene to get the necessary paperwork such as visas, authorizations and the support needed. 

We wish Amine a speedy recovery.

We invite you to visit aechifa Assoc on Facebook for videos and up to date news regarding Amine.

Sincerely,

The Board

 

as of April 21, 2021

After almost 3 months of treatment, Amine Bouhalli is still being hospitalized at the Lympho- Clinic in Germany under the supervision of Dr. Schingale.  His initial simple evaluation has evolved since. The German medical team discovered after a thorough examination and evaluation a rare disease called Gorham’s disease, also called vanishing bone disease.

This condition of lymphangiomatosis usually leads to the destruction and the resorption of the osseous matrix.  In addition, the lungs get affected. Amine has been suffering from short of breath because of his vascular anomaly. Also, the Doctors confirmed bone destruction at the femur and hip with an elongation of more than 30 cm of his leg.

Up to now, a protocol has been applied to eliminate the fluids from his inferior member along with a physical therapy. And to date more than 100 liters have been evacuated. This successful protocol and physical exercises will continue for another three months until drainage of his lymphatic fluids is completed.  Then Amine will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon

As a result, the estimated cost of treatment has increased.  MAHF, therefore, is humbly asking you for your generosity to raise an additional 40,000 Euro. So far, MAHF has disbursed up to 42,000 Euros from the 50,000 Euros raised in December 2020. Please see attached the wiring bank transfer (3) receipts to Lympho- Clinic.

We thank you so much for your continuing support in helping Amine.

Because of the media attention in helping Amine Bouhalli, other patients came forward and a local structure was established:

As a result, the estimated cost of treatment has increased.  MAHF, therefore, is humbly asking you for your generosity to raise an additional 40,000 Euro. So far, MAHF has disbursed up to 42,000 Euros from the 50,000 Euros raised in December 2020. Please see attached the wiring bank transfer (3) receipts to Lympho- Clinic.

We thank you so much for your continuing support in helping Amine.

Because of the media attention in helping Amine Bouhalli, other patients came forward and a local structure was established:

  1. MAHF and our partners were able to send Hazem Salah from Constantine with a similar case to Germany. The logistics have been taken care of by Aechiffa Association in Medea and by Saha Labled association in Switzerland.

    https://www.facebook.com/100000720287311/posts/4053047464729223/?d=n

  2. In addition, we are proud to announce that we were able to treat three other mild cases like Amine with our local partner Aechiffa Association.These three patients received treatment in Algeria with the help of a group of local volunteer physicians lead by Dr Houcine Mesbah and a therapist Ms. Nadia Hammadi under Aechiffa Association umbrella.This was possible with the availability and generosity of Dr. Schingale and his team through phone conferences.Dr. Schingale is planning a visit in Algeria after the end of covid 19 pandemic if condition permits for an hands-on seminar on new procedures and techniques regarding the lymphedema cases

Note:

2020-2021 Amine (Before August 19th,2021 )

Message from the President

Dear all,

After concluding that the limb amputation was inevitable (see previous announcements), Amine was transferred to the University of Erlangen in Germany from the Lympho- Clinic where he spent almost 10 days to be examined to see if the surgery was feasible and safe.

The group of physicians of this institution concluded that the surgery of the Limb amputation is too risky to be attempted. They claimed that Amine’s heart will not hold during surgery. For your information, a link of the Dr. Lang's explanation from the Erlangen University is provided:    https://youtu.be/ikaHyCsDMDQ

After this unfortunate setback and looking for a second opinion, Dr. Franz Schingale and myself made an international conference call to more than 10 professors around the world (USA, France, Spain, Switzerland, Argentina, and many more).

Following the conference call, Amine case was examined in detail by one of the attending professors, Dr. Juan Carlos Lopez Gutierrez from the Hospital Universitario La Paz in Madrid. He has accepted the challenge and has proposed the surgery through ECMO [ Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation].  The ECMO machine is similar to the heart-Lung by-pass. The Machine is used in open heart surgery. It pumps and oxygenates a patient’s blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lung to rest.

In conclusion, Amine accompanied by his father will be transferred to Madrid by ground ambulance after receiving the official hospital's paper acceptance and the agreement and understanding of Amine's parent.

The hospital's address is:  Urgences Hospital Infantil La Paz , Avda de Monforte de Lemos 2D 28029 Madrid Spain.

Please continue supporting Amine’s treatment.

Dr. Azzedine Stambouli, President

Because of the media attention in helping Amine Bouhalli, other patients came forward and a local structure was established:

  • MAHF and our partners were able to send Hazem Salah from Constantine with a similar case to Germany. The logistics have been taken care of by Aechiffa Association in Medea and by Saha Labled association in Switzerland.

     https://www.facebook.com/100000720287311/posts/4053047464729223/?d=n

  • In addition, we are proud to announce that we were able to treat three other mild cases like Amine with our local partner Aechiffa Association.These three patients received treatment in Algeria with the help of a group of local volunteer physicians lead by Dr Houcine Mesbah and a therapist Ms. Nadia Hammadi under Aechiffa Association umbrella.This was possible with the availability and generosity of Dr. Schingale and his team through phone conferences.Dr. Schingale is planning a visit in Algeria after the end of covid 19 pandemic if condition permits for an hands-on seminar on new procedures and techniques regarding the lymphedema cases


Amine Bouhalil’s Album

amine bouhali photo.jpg