Mwanguhya from Uganda raised $249 to fund hernia repair surgery.

100%

$249 raised, $0 to go

$249

raised

to go

Mwanguhya's story
Mwanguhya's update

January 29, 2018

Mwanguhya is a student from Uganda. He is the third born out of four children. The family depends on their single mother, who cultivates food for home consumption and sale.

For some years, Mwanguhya has had an inguinal hernia. The hernia has become very big and is causing pain and discomfort Fortunately, on January 31, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner’s care center.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Mwanguhya’s surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently.

He says, :I have been with this condition for long…I need help.”

Mwanguhya is a student from Uganda. He is the third born out of four children. The family depends on their single mother, who cultivates foo...

Photo of Mwanguhya post-operation

March 1, 2018

Mwanguhya underwent repair surgery.

During surgery, the doctor found that the condition was not a hernia but was an undescended testis. The doctor repaired the condition, and now Mwanguhya is feeling much better. He will be able to return to school.

“I have high hopes that by the time the schools open I will have healed. Thank you so much Watsi for paying for my treatment. After recovery, I will continue with education,” he says.

During surgery, the doctor found that the condition was not a hernia but was an undescended testis. The doctor repaired the condition, and n...

January 29, 2018
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Mwanguhya was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
January 30, 2018
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Mwanguhya's profile was published to start raising funds.
January 31, 2018
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Mwanguhya received treatment at Holy Family Virika Hospital in Uganda. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
March 1, 2018
TREATMENT UPDATE
We received an update on Mwanguhya. Read the update.
March 6, 2018
FULLY FUNDED
Mwanguhya's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Hernia Repair

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $249 for Mwanguhya's treatment

Hospital Fees

$181

Medical Staff

Medication

$58

Supplies

Labs

$10

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A hernia occurs when a portion of the intestine protrudes through the lower abdominal wall, usually for one of two reasons. The first is a congenital abnormality in which the tissues did not close. The second is excessive stress in an adult, often due to heavy physical labor or pregnancy. Patients experience a bulge or lump in the affected area. The hernia may cause the patient to feel pain, discomfort, weakness, pressure, and sensations of heaviness or aching. These symptoms are often exacerbated when the patient coughs, bends over, or lifts heavy objects. In some cases, hernias have no symptoms and are only detected during routine medical exams.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Patients with uncomplicated hernias may experience only annoyance or discomfort. As the hernia opening expands, the discomfort will increase. Small openings are more likely to trap the intestine, potentially leading to intestinal damage or death.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Hernias are common in Africa. People often do very hard physical labor and lift heavy objects. Women tend to have more children than those in the United States. It is possible that some hernias have infectious or genetic causes.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgery lasts for three to eight hours, depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the hernia. The patient will stay in the hospital anywhere from two days to eight weeks, again depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the hernia. The patient is continually monitored.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

Treatment is curative. The chance of intestinal strangulation or bowel obstruction reduces significantly.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Hernia repair is not a risky procedure, and it comes with few side effects.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Many patients will ignore a hernia until it becomes uncomfortable and seek care at that time. Some people will wear tighter pants or a tight band around the waist to prevent the intestine from protruding.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

If the hernia is not “stuck,” patients tend to ignore it and adapt to living with it. However, this could lead to future complications.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Pisey is a 12-year-old, seventh-grade student from Cambodia. Pisey's father works long hours as a truck driver and her mother stays home to care for Pisey and her two younger siblings. Pisey's favorite subject is math and she wants to be a teacher when she grows up. In her free time, she enjoys reading books. Pisey has been experiencing frequent and recurrent sore throats, accompanied by a fever and difficulty swallowing. The frequent sicknesses often lead to missed school days. Pisey was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Pisey, which is scheduled to take place on March 21st. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Pisey of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Pisey's mother said, "After surgery, we hope Pisey can swallow better to eat her food and she can return to school."

Priscillah is a happy 5-year-old from Kenya. She has a lively spirit and loves to play with her friends while at home and in school. Priscillah is the second born in a family of four kids. She came to the hospital with her father, who works in construction, and her mother is a homemaker. Four years ago, Priscillah was playing with her friends when she accidentally fell into a fire. She developed burn contracture on her left hand and fingers, which makes her unable to flex her fingers. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Priscillah receive treatment. On February 6th, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. This surgery will allow Priscillah to be able to use her hands freely and will also boost her self-esteem as she plays with her friends and continues her education. AMH is requesting $840 to fund this procedure. Priscillah’s father shared: "I am looking forward to seeing my daughter fully recovered and using her hand like other children and continuing with her education fully. I will be very happy."

Alfred, who is 69 years old, comes from a small village in Uganda. He had to leave school after only a few years of study, and now he and his wife work as small scale farmers. Alfred has been experiencing intermittent swelling in both his right and left inguinal areas for the past year. He went to different clinics, and was given pain medication, but the swelling has persisted. He shared his concerns with his son, who advised him to come to Rwibaale Health Center for an evaluation. As a result of the doctor's examination, Alfred was diagnosed with bilateral inguinal hernias. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $234 to fund Alfred's hernia repair surgery, which is scheduled to take place on February 15th, at Rwibaale Health Centre. After he has recovered from this procedure, Alfred should be able to resume his life, free from his current discomfort. Alfred said: "I hope to get back to my fields after recovery.’’

Mwanguhya's Timeline

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.