Ahabyona is a 26-year-old man who lives with his mother and siblings in Uganda. He is an altar server at a local church. He also cleans the cathedral compound.
In 2009, Ahabyona developed a swelling in his right inguinal region. The swelling caused him a lot of pain, but he could not afford to visit a hospital. Finally, he visited our medical partner's hospital, Holy Family Virika Hospital, after he learned about Watsi.
Ahabyona was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia, a condition in which part of the intestines protrude through a weak region of abdominal muscles in the groin. A hernia presents as a bulge and makes coughing, bending at the waist, or lifting heavy objects very painful. When he visited the hospital, Ahabyona could not dig or carry heavy items.
"My health is deteriorating because of the sickness, and l am scared," he shared.
On November 16, Ahabyona underwent a hernia repair surgery. During the surgery, his doctor pushed the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and sewed the weakened muscle with a synthetic mesh. Over time, muscle tissue will grow into and around the mesh to strengthen the area. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 in funding. This money will cover the costs of a three-night hospital stay, pain medicine, antibiotics, and blood tests.
After surgery, Ahabyona hopes to start trading in dry food stuffs, such as beans and groundnuts.