“My wish is to become a general surgeon when I grow up,” shares Issa, an 11-year-old boy from Tanzania. “Issa is in class three and enjoys reading and writing. He also likes to play soccer,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) shares. “He is very confident and likes to lead when playing with other children.”
Issa has an inguinal hernia, where some of his intestinal tissue pushes through a weak section of the groin, causing on and off scrotal swelling. AMHF explains, “His mother noticed the problem ever since Issa was a little boy, but she could not afford to take him to the hospital until 2014 when he had an operation done, but the condition recurred.”
An inguinal hernia puts Issa at risk of serious health complications, AMHF explains. “Issa is at risk of developing intestinal obstruction and endangering his life if not treated.”
Issa’s parents run small-scale businesses selling produce at the local market. “With three children going to school and all needing school fees, it has been quite a challenge to come up with enough cash to cover the cost of another operation for their son,” AMHF states.
$610 can fund Issa’s hernia repair operation to place the intestinal tissue back into its proper position. Following surgery and a three-day hospital stay, Issa will be sent to Plaster House, a specialized pediatric rehabilitation program. During his week there, Issa will work closely with trained medical staff to support his safe recovery.
After the procedure, Issa will no longer be at risk of intestinal obstruction and will be free to return to his active lifestyle.
