Shwe is a 46-year-old man from Burma who was diagnosed with gallstones one year ago. He lives with his wife and two sons who help their parents on the farm, and two daughters who attend school and are in grade 12 and grade 7. Shwe owns a small farm where he grows rice. He also has a small plot where he grows coffee and covers the family’s monthly expenses.
In October 2015, Shwe began experiencing pain, stomach aches and weight loss. He visited a hospital where he had an ultrasound and was diagnosed with gallstones, which he was told would need to be removed. He could not afford the surgery and left the hospital with only enough medicine for one month.
Once he stopped being able to afford the pain medicine, he used traditional medicine to relieve his pain. Finally, Shwe’s wife’s nephew referred him to Watsi’s medical partner, Burma Border Projects, for treatment. He needs a cholecystectomy, or surgical removal of his gallbladder.
Currently, Shwe experiences dizziness, trouble eating and sleeping, and back pain. He cannot breathe well and is very worried about his condition. After surgery, he is expected to be symptom and pain-free, and return home to his family.
“If I cannot get well, I will not be able to make money and support to my family,” Shwe shared. “The most important thing is to get better.”