Success! Hadija from Uganda raised $307 to fund abdominal surgery.

100%

$307 raised, $0 to go

$307

raised

to go

Hadija's story
Hadija's update

March 14, 2017

Hadija is a 50-year-old mother of three from Uganda. Together with her husband, Sulait, she farms to grow food for consumption.

For the past eight months, Hadija has experienced pain in her abdomen. After seeking treatment, she learned that she has gallstones. On March 15, Hadija will undergo laparotomy surgery to remove the gallstones. She will be treated at our medical partner’s care center, Bwindi Community Hospital.

Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is asking for $307 to cover the cost of Hadija’s treatment. Hadija is contributing $4 towards her own care.

“I am very grateful for the donors’ support. May God bless you,” says Hadija.

Hadija is a 50-year-old mother of three from Uganda. Together with her husband, Sulait, she farms to grow food for consumption. For the ...

Photo of Hadija post-operation

April 17, 2017

Hadija underwent abdominal surgery.

Hadija underwent successful surgery to remove her gall bladder. She had severe gall stones, which had been causing her great pain for almost a year. It will take some time for her to heal from the laparotomy, but once she is recovered, Hadija should be able to return to her normal activities.

“I have been suffering so much because of the pain,” says Hadija, “but I could not afford the cost of surgery. I am so grateful for the help because I will be able to work and help support my family again.”

Hadija underwent successful surgery to remove her gall bladder. She had severe gall stones, which had been causing her great pain for almost...

March 14, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Hadija was submitted by Barnabas Oyesiga, Communications Officer at The Kellermann Foundation.
March 21, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Hadija's profile was published to start raising funds.
April 1, 2017
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Hadija received treatment at Bwindi Community 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.
April 17, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Hadija's treatment was successful. Read the update.
September 1, 2017
FULLY FUNDED
Hadija's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 10 donors

Treatment

Laparotomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $307 for Hadija's treatment

Hospital Fees

$115

Medical Staff

$34

Medication

$29

Supplies

$87

Labs

$42

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A laparotomy is a surgical procedure in which surgeons create a large incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. A laparotomy is often performed to examine the abdominal organs and aid diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain. It may be performed to remove cancer of the intestines, repair bowels and remove blockages, or to remove ovarian cysts.

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

Any of the conditions that would warrant a laparotomy can be life-threatening. A blocked bowel can cause tissue death, as blood supply may be cut off to all or part of the intestine. An ovarian cyst can cause extreme pain and can rupture, spreading infection. Rupture of an ovarian cyst can also produce severe pain and internal bleeding.

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

This surgery has no cultural significance.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

A patient will present at the hospital complaining of abdominal pain. A medical officer will examine the patient and determine the location and possibly the cause of the patient's distress. After examination, the medical officer and the surgeon will determine a plan of action. If a laparotomy is needed, the patient will be admitted to the hospital, and relevant tests will be undertaken. Surgery will be scheduled, usually within one or two days. Prior to surgery, the patient will be counseled by the surgeon on possible outcomes and what to expect. The morning of surgery, the patient will be seen by the anesthetist to determine the appropriate anesthesia. After surgery, the patient will recover in post-op for approximately thirty minutes. Depending on the extensiveness of the surgery, the patient will be hospitalized for approximately five days with daily reviews by the medical officer.

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

A laparotomy is undertaken when physicians and surgeons determine that a patient's diagnosis is serious enough to warrant open abdominal surgery. This treatment saves lives.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Laparotomy is a major surgery, and any complicated surgery has risks and possible side effects. Severe bleeding may occur from large blood vessels, although this is not common. Infection in the operation site, pelvis, or urinary tract may occur. Treatment may include wound dressings and antibiotics.

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

The nearest alternate hospital with a qualified surgeon is over two hours away on rough dirt roads.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

It is sometimes possible to perform operations by keyhole surgery (laparoscopy). However, laparoscopy is not available in rural Uganda, necessitating more extensive open abdominal laparotomy.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Agatha is a mother of two from Uganda. Her father passed before she was born, and she was raised by her mother. She went to school until 4th grade but was unfortunately unable to finish. She is married and a mother of two, her children are 5 and 7 years old. Her husband is a soldier in the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces. She enjoys farming, but they currently do not have the land to accommodate it. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children. She is currently pregnant with twins. Her doctors at Rushoroza Hospital recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because the first twin is breech. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and children. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Agatha undergo a C-section on February 23rd. This procedure will cost $214, and Agatha needs your support. Agatha says, “I believe I will have a successful surgery with a positive outcome. After complete recovery, I continue to take care of our children. May God protect you.”

Genesis is a 14-year-old girl from a city in central Bolivia. She is in eighth grade and lives with her mother, who raises her independently. Her mother works as a food vendor. Genesis' father passed away when she was younger. In her free time, she enjoys art and music. When Genesis was younger, she was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta, a condition in which a major artery connected to the heart is too narrow to operate properly. When she was younger, doctors felt that the condition was not severe enough to operate; as she has grown older, however, she has felt weaker become increasingly tired, so surgery is necessary. Fortunately, our medical partners, The International Cardiac Alliance can help. Genesis is scheduled to undergo Congenital Cardiac surgery on March 21st. Our medical partners are requesting $1,500 to fund her procedure. After surgery, Genesis should make a full recovery. Genesis said, "I am hopeful that after my surgery I will feel stronger and have more energy to do things."

Rossette is a 35-year-old housewife from Uganda. Her husband works in a retail shop and supports his wife as she has not been able to find a job. During her free time, Rossette enjoys visiting her friends. Rossette is currently expecting her first child. She received antenatal care at Rushoroza Hospital, where her doctors recommended that she deliver via a Cesarean section because of breech presentation at term. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Rossette undergo a C-Section on March 1st. This procedure will cost $214 and Rossette needs your support. Rosette says, “I hope I will have a successful surgery with a positive outcome. After complete recovery, I will continue to search for a job. May God bless you.”

Hadija's Timeline

Share Hadija's story

Funded by 10 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.