Showing all patients at Nkhoma Hospital

Foster is a 70-year-old father of nine, from Makwenda Village in Malawi. He lives with his wife and grandchildren. To support his family, he solely depends on farming where he grows maize, groundnuts, and soya beans. Foster is a village headman and he is a member of the Church of African Presbytery. Foster was well until 2020 when he noticed a swelling on the right side of his groin. The swelling was very painful and made passing stool and urine very difficult. The swelling would disappear and reappear after a while, especially when it is cold, and when he coughs or strains himself. Foster decided to seek medical help at a health center in his area where he was referred to Nkhoma Hospital, but at the time surgeries were limited due to the coronavirus pandemic. He was told to come back another time. As the condition persisted, Foster went to seek medical help at Dedza District Hospital where he has been visiting up to now and had been given pain medication. Last week, Foster visited Nkhoma Hospital once again, and he presented that the swelling has now been appearing on both sides. After assessment in the surgical clinic, Foster was diagnosed with Bilateral Inguinal Hernia. The doctor advised that he needs to undergo Hernia Repair surgical procedure and this was scheduled for October 5th. This hernia condition has impacted Foster’s life negatively. Since the condition surfaced, he experiences pain that hinders him from doing his daily activities and he fails to work on his farm. Additionally, he cannot walk a long distance or ride his bike as the swelling appears when he strains himself. Treatment will be a welcome development in Foster’s life. He will be able to work on his farm and continue taking care of his family as he is the sole breadwinner. In addition to that, treatment will prevent Foster from developing complications that a hernia can cause, such as enlargement, incarceration, small bowel obstruction, and strangulation of the hernia, which can be fatal. Foster shared that he does not have enough money to pay for his surgery and other expenses so the medical team referred him to Watsi and our medical partner African Mission healthcare. He has been able to contribute $15 to his care and our medical partner is requesting $500 to cover the cost of Foster's surgery. Foster says, “I was afraid that this condition will start affecting my duties as a village headman, I am thankful that there is hope for me through my donors.”

Khristopher is a six-year-old boy from Malawi who attends primary school. He is the fourth born in a family of five children. To support their family, his parents work as small-scale farmers. When Khristopher was one year old, he began to experience frequent stomachaches. Although his parents thought they would go away, the stomachaches persisted. At three years old, his condition worsened and swelling began to occur in a sensitive area every time Khristopher cried, coughed, or did anything strenuous. His parents shared that these symptoms worry them as they helplessly watch their child in pain due to this condition. He was eventually diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia, and his doctor referred him to a different hospital for surgery. However, due to financial constraints that prevented their family from being able to pay for transportation and medical expenses, Khristopher’s father decided to continue trying to heal Khristopher using traditional methods. For another three years, Khristopher was treated with traditional herbs. Unfortunately, these methods were not successful, and his condition persisted. His father decided to seek medical care once more, so he brought Khristopher to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), is helping Khristopher receive treatment. On August 4th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital. AMHF is requesting $846 to fund Khristopher's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and prevent future complications. Khristopher’s father says, “I have prayed and hoped for a solution to my son’s condition, and I now have faith that he will be cured.”

Wiliam is from Chapata Village in Malawi. He is the last born in a family of two children, where his parents work as cleaners at a nearby lodge to support the family. At two months of age, Wiliam’s mother noticed that a swelling causing him to cry. She took him to a nearby health clinic where she was advised to take him to Kamuzu Central Hospital. Wiliam was scheduled a couple of times to see a surgeon at the hospital, but he never got a chance due to overbooking in the surgeon’s schedule. Wiliam’s mother decided to visit Nkhoma Hospital and hoped he could get treatment there. Wiliam was diagnosed with bilateral inguinal hernia, and the doctor broke news to his mother that he needs to undergo bilateral hernia repair surgery. Due to lack of funds, Wiliam was referred to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare, and his mother pledged to pay the little she can afford to help as much as possible. Their family is raising $421 to fund his surgery which is schedule for May 3rd. Treatment will free Wiliam of this condition and eliminate the risk of worrying complications. Wiliam’s mother shared, “I am happy that my son will soon receive treatment and be free from this condition."

Jasten is a two-year-old boy from Chimutu Village, Kenya where he lives with his single mother and five siblings. Because of the recent death of his father, Jasten's mother depends upon small-scale farming to provide for the family. In February 2023, Jasten’s mother noticed that his scrotum was swollen and that he would constantly cry because he was in pain. His mother took him to the nearest health center where she was advised to seek traditional help. Knowing how expensive traditional help can be, she decided to take Jasten to Nkhoma Hospital, hoping he would be prescribed drugs that she could buy at a pharmacy, whenever she could afford them. After assessment at the hospital, Jasten was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia and the doctor informed Jasten's mother that he would need to have surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $421 to fund Jasten's procedure, which is scheduled for April 19th at Nkhoma Hospital. Treatment will be a welcome development in Jasten’s life, as he will be relieved of the pain and saved from complications that can arise if his condition is left untreated, such as hernia strangulation, which can be life-threatening. Jasten’s mother says: “Thank you to the donors for this opportunity. I am glad that my son will be well again.”

Leviasi is a 72-year-old widower with 6 children from Mpita Village, Lilongwe District in Malawi. To support himself, Leviasi depends on gardening where he grows assorted vegetables for sale. He lives alone in his house as all his children are married in their respective homes. Leviasi is a member of the African Isaac church. Following a family-related altercation in July Leviasi was admitted to the hospital for overnight observation and was discharged the following day after being given drugs for the pain. Although Leviasi finished the medication, the condition worsened as his stomach started to swell. He was brought to the hospital once again where, upon assessment, Leviasi was diagnosed with Transverse Colon Perforation. He underwent a Laparotomy surgery, where a Loop Ileostomy was performed. After the surgery, Leviasi’s life was negatively impacted. He cannot work in his garden, he cannot walk a long distance, and life with stoma bags is difficult as he lives alone and lacks quality care and support. On September 1st, Leviasi visited Nkhoma Hospital for a checkup and supply of stoma bags. He was advised that he needs to undergo a Colostomy Reversal surgical procedure on October 4th. However, Leviasi expressed that he does not have money to cover the surgery and other medical expenses as he has not been able to work due to his condition and he spent the last of his money on the first surgery. He was then referred to Watsi and our medical partner African Mission Healthcare for support. Our medical partner is asking for $709 to cover Leviasi's surgery. Leviasi is hoping that after he receives treatment and gets well again, the family will be in a better place to forgive his grandson and he can come back home to a united family. Treatment will also help Leviasi get back on his feet and resume supporting himself. It will also prevent him from getting complications of living with the condition, such as infection. Leviasi says, “God has made a way for me to bring my family back together after recovery, may he bless my donors and all involved.”

Mkaluza Katunga is a 54-year-old woman from Malawi. She is the mother of eight children and is currently separated from her husband. Because he no longer supports her, Mkaluza depends upon selling her pottery and on farming, in order to survive. In 2021, Mkaluza started experiencing pain on the left side of her abdomen, which would be especially bad after she had eaten. She went to the hospital, where she was given medication and sent home. In early 2022, Mkaluza noticed that the left side of her abdomen was becoming hard and swollen. She returned to the hospital, but could not afford the tests that were recommended. Instead, she went home with pain medication. On September 14th of this year, Mkaluza visited the hospital once again, as her condition had persisted. After assessment in the surgical clinic, and after having undergone an X-ray, Mkaluza was diagnosed with an enlarged spleen. The doctor told her that she would need to undergo a splenectomy, to remove the enlarged organ. While Mkaluza does not have sufficient funds to cover this procedure, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help. They are requesting your assistance in funding the $709 needed to pay for Mkaluza's surgery, which is scheduled for October 13th, at Nkhoma Hospital. This operation will prevent the possible rupture of Mkaluza's spleen, and will also enable her to return to her life, free from pain and the worries of the potential complications posed by her condition. Mkaluza says: “I am looking forward to a healthy and bright future after treatment.”

Alick is a 31-year-old farmer from a village called Kuchikodde in Malawi's Central Region. He lives with his wife and three children. When Alick is not farming, he enjoys repairing bicycles and spending time with his friends. Three years ago Alick started experiencing pain from an inguinal hernia (hernia of the groin), which has made it hard for him to work and participate in other activities. He has been unable to access surgical treatment until now. $613 funds a treatment to repair his hernia from our medical partner, World Alterning Medicine. The cost of treatment includes travel and medication, in addition to the surgical costs. Alick and his family are very excited for him to be able to continue working and enjoying other daily activities. Let's help Alick get back on his feet and fund this treatment.