Sethi is a 36-year-old refugee from Congo who currently lives in Kenya. He came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking answers to debilitating symptoms such as headaches, vision impairment, and difficulty walking.
When Sethi left Congo, he was separated from his six children and has not been able to locate them. He left all of his possessions behind and has had to move in with a distant relative who supports his own wife and two children by selling second-hand clothes. “[Sethi’s relative] has not been able to go to work consistently, as he has to take care of Sethi and his wife, who is expecting,” says AMHF.
AMHF diagnosed Sethi with a brain tumor. Fortunately, the tumor is benign. However, “Sethi has been experiencing painful migraines,” AMHF tells us. “His vision has been partially impaired, and he has to walk with the assistance of someone else.”
To remove the tumor, doctors plan to perform two surgical procedures during a single operation. In one procedure—a craniotomy—doctors will remove a portion of his skull to access the tumor. In the second procedure—transsphenoidal surgery—doctors will insert surgical instruments through his nose and into the sphenoid sinus cavity at the base of his brain.
“If not treated,” continues AMHF, “Sethi will continue suffering from painful migraines with a possibility of being permanently blind. The brain tumor may also ultimately result in death.”
$1,205 pays for surgery for Sethi as well as six days of hospital care—two days in intensive care and four days in the general ward—after surgery. Funding also covers the costs of medicine, blood work, and pathology. Sethi is providing $306 to pay for additional costs associated with his care. “After the surgery and recovery,” says AMHF, “Sethi will no longer suffer migraines, and he may regain his vision.”
“Sethi hopes to get well to trace his family and help other people who might also be in need like himself,” shares Sethi’s relative.