Rukandema is a 78-year-old shopkeeper from Uganda. He is a father of seven. Currently, he operates a small retail shop to earn a living for his family. Rukandema is also trained in bricklaying, but has since stopped this job due to his age. His wife works on a farm to help make ends meet.
For the last two years, Rukandema has experienced a painful swell on his inguinal area. He initially felt abdominal pains and visited a local health center, where he received pain medications as treatment. However, the pain persisted, so his son-in-law took him to Rushoroza Hospital in February for review. There, Rukandema was diagnosed with inguinal hernia, a condition in which tissue protrudes through a weak spot of the abdominal walls. Without treatment, he will be at risk of hernia strangulation and persistent and severe pain.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $170 to fund Rukandema’s surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably.
Rukandema shared, “I pray that I may get well through surgery. I look forward to resuming my usual duties of running my shop to be able to support my family comfortably.”