AIC Kapsowar Hospital

Annah is a 60-year-old farmer from Kenya. She is the sole parent of six children and has been separated from her husband for years. She has been supporting her children by working on the farm. Four of her children are adults with families of their own, while the other two are still in school. She works tirelessly on the farm with the assistance of her older children to provide for the family. To meet their basic needs, she sells beans, potatoes, and vegetables seasonally. Additionally, she cares for two grandchildren who rely on her for their basic needs. Annah arrived at our partner's care centre AIC Kapsowar Hospital on 15th January 2024 with a complaint of wrist pain. She reported that she slipped and fell the previous evening, resulting in a right hand injury. At the hospital, she was assessed, placed in a splint, and referred for an x-ray. The x-ray revealed a distal radius ulna fracture, and it was recommended that she undergo open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. She hesitated to move forward with the treatment plan because of her inactive National Health Insurance coverage and financial limitations. She therefore requested for an alternative treatment approach while seeking funding to activate her health coverage, and was fitted with a short arm cast. A two-week follow-up appointment was arranged, but she did not attend. After six weeks, the cast was removed, revealing a misshapen wrist that was tender. Diagnosis confirmed a malunion of the distal radius necessitating surgery. She is presently unable to utilize her hand and, regrettably, continues to lack the financial means to activate her health insurance coverage. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care center can help. On March 7th, Annah will undergo a fracture repair procedure. The surgery will help her hand heal properly and regain its mobility. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $941 to fund this procedure. Annah says, “I thought I'd get better without an operation, but I didn’t. Please help me, my hand is in bad shape now and I am requesting your support to pay for my hospital bills. I look forward to getting better so that I can continue with my day-to-day activities on the farm. I hope that my hand becomes functional when I fully recover.“

Rose is a 38-year-old woman from Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. She is a single mother of four school-aged children. She is the sole caregiver and breadwinner of her family. She owns a local shop in her village that sells basic necessities to her neighbors. Earlier this month, Rose came to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, due to a nail puncture on her left knee sustained a month before. She had previously been prescribed oral antibiotics at a different medical facility, but subsequently developed skin necrosis, leading to the premature death of skin cells and its spread to the rest of her leg. Additionally, she had a history of blisters forming on the same leg from a previous motorcycle accident. Upon admission to the hospital, she exhibited symptoms such as an elevated heart rate, fever, and low iron levels in her blood. Medical interventions included a blood transfusion and intravenous antibiotics to address the infection. She has since undergone two surgeries to extensively remove the dead skin cells and is now scheduled for a gastro-flap and skin grafting procedure. Lacking medical insurance, she is seeking assistance to cover her medical expenses. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help and is requesting $1,089 to fund Rose's surgery. On March 8th, she will undergo surgery and once completed, this procedure will allow her to live more comfortably. Rose says, “I thank God for the good health He has given me all through. I didn’t know my leg would be in bad shape like I am today. Please help me so I can walk independently and continue my work when I fully recover.”

Edrick is a 14-month-old toddler from Kenya. He is the only child of a young, single mother who had to leave school because of financial difficulties. In order to support herself and her son, she moved out of her family's home. She mentioned that there are nine siblings in their household who rely on their parents, who are also facing challenges in making a living. Edrick’s mother works as a domestic worker, taking care of household chores and doing laundry in the neighborhood to make ends meet. Edrick was received at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, experiencing increased irritability, crying, restlessness and pain due to burns he sustained from a hot liquid. The mother reported that Edrick had gone to play in the kitchen unnoticed when he accidentally slid and fell on a jiko (charcoal stove) that had boiling tea which spilled on his left hand. He immediately cried out and was rescued by the mother though he had already sustained deep superficial burns on his left arm. The surgeon evaluated him, IV fluids were given to correct his electrolyte levels, and wound care was provided. Edrick was then discharged with a follow up appointment for wound care. Several visits for wound dressing yielded no improvement so the surgeon recommended a skin graft to promote faster healing and prevent future burn contractures. The mother hesitated due to financial concerns about the surgery costs, but she remains optimistic about her son's future and is dedicated to ensuring Edrick's quick recovery. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,089 to fund Edrick's treatment. The funding would cover the cost of surgery, wound care and treatment supplies. Edrick is scheduled for debridement and skin graft on March 14th. After surgery, Edrick will be relieved of pain and have an improved function of his hand and arm. Edrick's mother says, “I'm so heartbroken seeing my son in so much pain and praying to God for good health for my son. Please help my son so that he is free from pain and is able to continue growing and achieving his milestones appropriately.”

John is a small-scale farmer from Kenya, married with three children. While his wife manages the household, she also helps him on the farm. He previously raised livestock but sold them to cover his children's school fees. Eight months ago, John sustained an injury after he fell chasing away a wild animal that was trying to attack his sheep. He went to a medical facility a few days after the fall and an X-ray showed a fracture to his knee. A long leg posterior splint was applied and he advised to undergo surgery to correct his fracture, but he could not afford it and went back home. John had another fall and sustained a fracture on his thighbone. He successfully underwent surgery repair at our medical partner's care center. Fully recovered, he resumed light ploughing in his small farm. Earlier this month however, he slipped and fell down again, and sustained a fracture. He is presently in pain and has swelling on the injury site. An X-ray showed a shinbone fracture that needs surgery. John is unable to finance his treatment and is requesting for help. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, can help. On March 14th, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). He has hope that he will recover and continue with his normal activities in the farm. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $941 to fund this procedure. John says, “I have experienced three consecutive issues with my right leg, and previously undergone successful surgery. I don’t know why I had to face such challenges while going through an unstable financial situation. Please assist me in having this surgery, and I pray that God restores my health so that I will be able to perform my daily activities in the farm like I used to.”

Robert is a 31-year-old husband and father of five children; three of them biological and two of them adopted. His family lives in Kenya, where both Robert and his wife work as small-scale farmers. Robert was operating his neighbor's sharp chaff cutter, when he accidentally placed his hand on the machine. His hand was drawn into the machine, which macerated his fingers, causing comminuted fractures of his fingers, and a deep gash in his hand. Comminuted fractures happen when the bone has broken in three or more pieces. Robert was brought to the hospital, where the wound was cleaned, X-rays were taken, and plans were made for surgical treatment of his injuries. Robert is worried because he cannot work due to his injuries, and his wife is also unable to work as she recently gave birth to their new baby. Additionally, he cannot afford to pay for the surgery that the doctors are recommending. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Robert receive treatment. On March 21st, surgeons at AIC Kapsowar Hospital will perform contracture release surgery with skin graft and flap, to promote faster healing of the tissues in Robert's hand. Now he needs your help to fund this $1,478 procedure. Roberts says: “I am in a lot of pain, and unable to independently perform my day-to-day activities. Please help me to get well soon so that I can go home and resume working, as my family is dependent on me for the provision of their basic necessities. I am hopeful that I will learn other ways of earning a living when I fully recover.”

Justine, who is 37 years old, is a married man with three children in primary school. He is a laborer, who works with his wife on peoples’ farms to earn a living and to provide for their children. For over 20 years, Justine has been living with a large tumor located on his left cheek. While it started out small, it has continued to increase in size over the years. While he remains relatively symptom free, Justine is uncomfortable when he is out in public. Justine finally visited a facility for treatment, where a fine needle aspiration was performed, to determine whether or not the growth was malignant. The results indicated that the mass was benign, and doctors scheduled a procedure to excise it. However, as Justine didn't have sufficient funds to cover the costs of his treatment, he turned to herbal medicine for help. This has only worsened the tumor. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $1,196 to pay for Justine's mass excision, which is scheduled to take place on October 12th, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Once the tumor has been removed, Justine's self esteem will be restored, and he will be able to lead a more comfortable life. Justine says: “I have been uncomfortable and without confidence for over twenty years. Please help me so that I may have a normal face and be able to carry out tasks that will help me provide for my family.”