Kebede is a 70-year-old security guard from Ethiopia who needs $900 to fund a prostatectomy.

Meet Kebede

Kebede's story

June 18, 2026

Kebede is a 70-year-old security guard from Ethiopia. He is a widower and a father of five. After his wife passed away, he continued working exhausting 24-hour shifts to support his family. Recently, however, his condition has made it increasingly difficult to carry out his work and daily responsibilities.

For the past two years, Kebede has been living with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland. The condition has been causing him significant discomfort and making it increasingly difficult to carry out his work and daily responsibilities. Physicians at Saglan Wajee General Hospital determined that Kebede should undergo surgery treatment.

Fortunately, on June 17th, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, will help Kebede undergo a prostatectomy. This procedure will cost $900, and Kebede needs your support to fund the surgery.

“I hope to get better, so I can have the physical strength and concentration needed to keep doing my job as a security guard,” said Kebede.

Kebede is a 70-year-old security guard from Ethiopia. He is a widower and a father of five. After his wife passed away, he continued working...

June 17, 2026
TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Kebede was scheduled to receive treatment at Saglan Wajee General Hospital in Ethiopia. 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.
June 18, 2026
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Kebede was submitted by Dr Eleni Biru, Chief Program Officer at Saglan Wajee General Hospital
June 19, 2026
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Kebede's profile was published to start raising funds.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Kebede is currently raising funds for his treatment.
TBD
UPDATE IN PROGRESS
Kebede's treatment update from Saglan Wajee General Hospital is in progress.

Funded by 8 donors

Treatment

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $900 for Kebede's treatment

Hospital Fees

$150

Medical Staff

$420

Medication

$250

Supplies

Labs

$80

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Frequent urination: Feeling the need to go every 1–2 hours. Nocturia: Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate. Urgency: A sudden, strong need to urinate that is difficult to delay. Weak stream: The urine flow is noticeably weaker or slower than it used to be. Hesitancy: Difficulty starting the urine stream, even when the bladder feels full. Intermittency: A urine stream that stops and starts several times. Dribbling: Urine continues to drip at the end of the process. Incomplete emptying: The sensation that the bladder isn't empty even after finishing.

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

Living with BPH is lifestyle-restricting condition; 1. Sleep deprivation and fatigue; waking up at night to urinate is often the most debilitating symptom. 2, Social Isolation; Living with urgency and frequency often leads to a behavior called "toilet mapping." 3, Psychological and Emotional Toll; Anxiety: The fear of a "leak" or an accident in public 4. Impact on Intimacy and Sexual Health; often overlap with sexual health concerns, Erectile Dysfunction (ED): There is a strong statistical link between the severity of urinary symptoms and the prevalence of ED, Decreased Libido: Chronic fatigue from lack of sleep and the physical discomfort of BPH can lead to a decreased interest in intimacy, Treatment Fears: Many patients delay seeking help because they fear that BPH treatments (medications or surgery) might negatively affect their sexual function.

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

BPH is shaped by a complex mix of deep-rooted traditions and logistical challenges. These factors often determine how—and when—a patient finally receives medical care. 1, The Role of Traditional Medicine (Holy Water and Herbal Remedies) 2, Dietary and Lifestyle Triggers; The heavy use of chili and spices and Khat in the community can make BPH symptoms much worse: 3. Logistical and Economic Barriers; Distance to Specialists: Urologists are mostly concentrated in general hospitals, For a rural farmer, the travel and lodging costs can be higher than the surgery itself. 4, Cultural Fears regarding Virility; A significant barrier to surgery is the fear of sexual dysfunction, many men avoid "modern" treatments because they fear it will end their ability to have children or remain intimate with their partners.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

1. Diagnostic Triage & Risk Stratification The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation to differentiate BPH from more serious conditions like prostate cancer or neurological bladder disorders. 2. Conservative Management (Watchful Waiting); "highest" level of initial care is often Active Surveillance. 3. Pharmacological Intervention; If lifestyle changes are insufficient, the patient transitions to medical therapy. This is the most common stage for patients seeking active treatment. 4, Definitive Surgical Intervention; When medications fail, or if complications like recurrent UTIs or "Acute Urinary Retention" (total blockage) occur, staff members move to surgical or minimally invasive options. These procedures involve removing the obstructing tissue through the urethra—leaving no external scars—to permanently clear the "kink" in the urinary path.

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

1. Physical Restoration and Vitality; The most immediate impact is the return of "normalcy" to the body’s basic functions. Restorative Sleep: By reducing or eliminating nocturia, patients can finally achieve uninterrupted sleep cycles. Bladder Confidence: Successful treatment removes the "hesitancy" and "straining" associated with urination 2. Social and Psychological Liberation; Patients regain the ability to go for long walks, This freedom from "bathroom anxiety" allows them to rejoin communal activities. 3. Long-Term Health Security; Treatment acts as a safeguard against more dangerous, "invisible" complications. Kidney Protection; By ensuring the bladder empties fully, treatment prevents back-pressure that can damage the kidneys over time, Infection Prevention: Eliminating "stagnant" urine in the bladder reduces the frequency of painful UTIs and the formation of bladder stones.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Medication Risks: These treatments can cause dizziness or a drop in blood pressure. Surgical Risks: Surgery is the most effective long-term solution, but it does involve a risk of bleeding. While it is normal to see some blood in the urine after the procedure, a blood transfusion may be necessary if the bleeding becomes heavy.

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

The facility is staffed by a qualified urologist, and the majority of our patients reside within the local township and surrounding areas. The hospital actively promotes its urology services through televised advertisements, Furthermore, several local health centers provide patients with comprehensive information regarding surgical options for BPH, social media engagement, and the distribution of informational leaflets.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Patients often seek relief in natural hot springs; while the warmth may temporarily relax the pelvic floor muscles, it does not address the underlying growth of the prostate gland.

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