Success! Kahinju from Uganda raised $249 to fund hernia repair surgery.

100%

$249 raised, $0 to go

$249

raised

to go

Kahinju's story
Kahinju's update

November 7, 2017

Kahinju is a 20-year-old woman from Uganda. She is the third born in a family of nine children. Her parents are farmers.

For six months, Kahinju has had an epigastric hernia. If not treated, Kahinju may experience hernia twisting and blocking, causing pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on November 8, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner’s care center.

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

She says, “After surgery I will do my domestic work without being disturbed by hernia.”

Kahinju is a 20-year-old woman from Uganda. She is the third born in a family of nine children. Her parents are farmers. For six months, ...

Photo of Kahinju post-operation

December 11, 2017

Kahinju underwent hernia repair surgery.

Kahinju’s hernia repair was a success. She is no longer at risk of strangulation and obstruction of the hernia. After recovery, she will be able to do her work.

Kahinju says, “I am now getting better. I am so much excited for my recovery. Thank you so much Watsi for paying for my surgery this is the second time I am praying to God that I shouldn’t develop another hernia. After recovery, I will resume working as a housemaid.”

Kahinju’s hernia repair was a success. She is no longer at risk of strangulation and obstruction of the hernia. After recovery, she will be ...

November 7, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Kahinju was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
November 8, 2017
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Kahinju 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.
November 8, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Kahinju's profile was published to start raising funds.
December 11, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Kahinju's treatment was successful. Read the update.
January 8, 2018
FULLY FUNDED
Kahinju's treatment was fully funded.

Treatment

Hernia Repair

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $249 for Kahinju'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.

Wesley is a 30-year-old man from Kenya. While Wesley is not formally employed, he engages in occasional online work to sustain himself and to support his dependent parents. On April 7th, Wesley was involved in a motorbike accident while driving in rainy conditions. The accident resulted in an open fracture of the left tibia/fibula. Upon admission to the hospital, he underwent suturing of the wound and was placed in a plaster back slab to stabilize the fracture. However, he will still require surgery. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On April 18th, Wesley will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will alleviate the risks of permanent disability, potential infection, and malunion of the fractured leg. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund Wesley's treatment and care. “Kindly help me. I have a lot of pain and am also worried about my leg. I hope to get support so that my leg can be treated, and I can be able to go on with my life and get married,” said Wesley.

Siltan is a 4-year-old girl from Ethiopia. She loves to play with her mom and her dolls. Her parents are farmers and the income from their harvest is used to sustain the basic needs of the family. Siltan was born with an anorectal malformation, a condition where there is a complete or partial intestinal blockage causing bowel obstruction. Siltan is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Siltan's procedure and care. After her recovery, Siltan will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Siltan's dad said, “I have hopes that she will heal. I will educate her and help her to be a doctor.”

Shantel is a 7-year-old girl and the only daughter of a single mother. She and her mother live with her grandmother, along with her other cousins. Her mother has been volunteering as a health records officer and plans to go back to school to study orthopedic technology. Shantel’s grandmother is a milk vendor in her village. At school, Shantel accidentally fell and hurt her hand. She has been complaining of pain, tenderness, and swelling on her wrist. The doctors confirmed that she has a displaced volar of the right distal ulna radius fracture or a fracture on her right forearm. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, will perform fracture repair surgery on her arm to facilitate its healing. Shantel needs $679 to fund this procedure. Shantel’s mother says “My daughter accidentally injured her arm, and we are not able to raise funds for her hospital bills. Please help my daughter get well soon so she can continue with her studies when she fully recovers."

Kahinju's Timeline

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Treatment

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100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.