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United States   •   June 11th
Pratik's Story

Pratik joined Watsi on May 17th, 2016. Nine years ago, Pratik joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Pratik's most recent donation traveled 9,000 miles to support Enifa, a farmer from Malawi, to fund a hysterectomy.

Impact

Pratik has funded healthcare for 99 patients in 13 countries.

Patients funded by Pratik

Atanazio is a 57-year-old farmer from a village in Salima District in Malawi. Salima District is nestled along the southern shores of Lake Malawi, and is known for its lush, rolling hills, and fertile land. The community here primarily relies on agriculture, with maize, groundnuts, and cassava being the backbone of local livelihoods. For Atanazio, this way of life has been the foundation of his family’s survival, as he has worked tirelessly on his farm to provide for his wife, children, and grandchildren. In 2016, Atanazio started experiencing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS), which caused him pain, discomfort, and distress. For nearly a decade, this affliction has hindered his ability to work, affecting his health, productivity, and the well-being of his family. Each month, Atanazio would endure long trips to the local district hospital, where he would receive routine catheter changes in an attempt to manage the symptoms of his condition. As the years passed, the toll this illness took on his body, mind, and soul became unbearable. Once a strong man capable of tending to his farm and supporting his loved ones, he now struggles to meet his basic needs. In 2023, Atanazio's journey toward a definitive diagnosis took a significant turn. He was referred to a hospital in Lilongwe, where he was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate becomes enlarged and causes urinary difficulties. The diagnosis provided some clarity, but Atanazio was advised to undergo further tests to rule out the possibility of malignancy. Thankfully, the results returned negative, offering relief in an otherwise turbulent period. Despite the positive news, Atanazio’s struggles were far from over. His financial situation had declined, and despite numerous hospital visits, he was repeatedly told that surgical treatment was not available at the time. Last month, after suffering from acute urinary retention, Atanazio’s family made the difficult decision to travel once again, this time to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital. They gathered funds from their savings and from relatives who wished him well in the hopes that a solution would finally be within reach. At Nkhoma Hospital, a cystoscopy procedure was performed, allowing the surgeons to develop a clear treatment plan. Physicians at Nkhoma Hospital determined that Atanazio should undergo a prostatectomy, a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on March 6th and, once completed, it will alleviate his uncomfortable symptoms, giving him the opportunity of a better life. "After this surgery, I believe my life will improve. I will no longer be in constant pain, and I will finally have the strength to work again and provide for my family. I am hopeful that I can return to the farm and live the life I once had without the burden of illness holding me back," said Atanazio.

$530raised
Fully funded

Chhinhuy is a five-year-old boy and the oldest of three children from Cambodia. His mother stays at home to care for the children, while his father works as a technician in a camera shop in Phnom Penh. Chhinhuy is currently in kindergarten and enjoys studying Chinese and English. He dreams of becoming a police officer when he grows up. At home, he loves eating apples and enjoys playing with his siblings. Chhinhuy was born with Erb's palsy, a complication of a difficult delivery. The condition causes weakness of the arm and limited function in his hand. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. His mother is concerned about this condition and how it might affect his right hand as he grows older, especially with everyday tasks like writing and feeding himself. Chhinhuy traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On February 12th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will have improved function of his arm and hand. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Chhinhuy's mother shared, "I hope that he can use his hand more easily and not have difficulty as he gets older."

$709raised
Fully funded