Musisi is a 63-year-old farmer from Uganda. Married and the father of 16 children, he says he is happiest when he is with his family. He earns a living cultivating sugarcane and maize, and he spends most of his income on his children’s education.
Four years ago, Musisi developed a swelling on the right side of his abdomen. Three years later, he developed another swelling on the left side. Eating became painful, and he was unable to dig or do any heavy lifting, making his work as a farmer much more difficult.
In November, Musisi visited a public hospital and was diagnosed with two hernias. In other words, part of his intestines were protruding through a gap in his abdominal wall. He was admitted as a patient but was unable to pay for surgery. Following the advice of someone at the public hospital, Mususi came to our medical partner’s care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital.
“I have pain,” Musisi says, “but I am unable to pay for my treatment.”
Musisi is scheduled to receive repair surgery on December 14. Our medical partner is requesting $249 to cover the cost of surgical supplies, medicine, and three nights of hospital stay. After treatment, Musisi hopes to resume farming.