Bagonza is a 34-year-old married father of five children who lives in Uganda. He and his wife are farmers. However, in the past two years, he has been incapable of farming due to pain from an inguinal hernia.
An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of the intestines through a weak region in the abdominal muscles. Its presence makes coughing, bending at the waist, or lifting heavy objects very painful.
Bagonza first began experiencing pain and swelling from the hernia ten years ago. He says he lived with this condition for so long because he lacked money for treatment. Due to the pain, he became unable to lift heavy items, dig, or do any straining. His wife was the only one supporting the family, and she did not earn enough money to pay their children’s school fees.
Bagonza came to our medical partner’s care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital, after encouragement from a friend who knew about Watsi. At the hospital, he was diagnosed with a reducible right inguinal hernia and was advised to have surgery. Without treatment, he was at risk of strangulation of the hernia, which might result in loss of life.
On November 30, Bagonza underwent hernia repair surgery. During the surgery, the doctor pushed the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and sewed together the weakened muscle with a synthetic mesh. Over time, muscle tissue will grow into and around the mesh to strengthen the area. Watsi’s medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund this procedure. Funding for Bagonza also covers the costs of a three-day hospital stay, pain medicine, antibiotics, and blood tests.
After surgery, Bagonza hopes to work hard and put his children back in school.