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Success! Martin from Kenya raised $1,185 to fund surgery so he can walk again and resume his studies.

Martin
100%
  • $1,185 raised, $0 to go
$1,185
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Martin's treatment was fully funded on September 18, 2022.

Photo of Martin post-operation

September 23, 2022

Martin underwent surgery so he can walk again and resume his studies.

Martin sustained a deep laceration to his left calf after being involved in a motorbike accident. He underwent an initial debridement but his wound was still deep and required another debridement and skin grafting. He is responding well to treatment and will continue to work closely with his medical team while he heals. He has new hope that he will walk well once he is completely healed and be able to continue with his studies.

Martin said he still has big dreams despite the accident and shared, “I really hope to continue with my studies once all this treatment is over.”

Martin sustained a deep laceration to his left calf after being involved in a motorbike accident. He underwent an initial debridement but hi...

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June 17, 2022

Martin is a 21-year-old student training to become a motor vehicle mechanic. He is the middle child of five, and his younger siblings are still in school. Martin’s father works as a boda-boda (motorcycle) taxi driver. Martin shared that he was relying on his parent’s insurance coverage to help with his medical costs, but his request for financing was turned down due to his age.

About a week ago, Martin was riding his father’s motorbike when he slipped and was in an accident. He was rushed to a local clinic and then referred to our medical partner’s hospital, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Martin sustained a deep laceration to his left calf, and now he is unable to walk. He underwent an urgent debridement procedure but still needs a split-thickness skin graft of his lower left leg to fully heal.

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Martin receive treatment. On June 17th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help the wound heal and avoid infection. Once he is healed, Martin will be able to walk again. AMH is requesting $1,185 to fund this procedure.

Martin says, “I am unable to walk and even work. I hope to heal and get back on my feet and go continue with my studies.”

Martin is a 21-year-old student training to become a motor vehicle mechanic. He is the middle child of five, and his younger siblings are st...

Read more

Martin's Timeline

  • June 17, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Martin was submitted by Ruth Kanyeria, SAFE Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • June 17, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Martin received treatment at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. 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.

  • June 21, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Martin's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • September 18, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Martin's treatment was fully funded.

  • September 23, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Martin's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 14 donors

Funded by 14 donors

Treatment
Debridement & Skin Graft
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $1,185 for Martin's treatment
Hospital Fees
$1,020
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$85
Supplies
$0
Labs
$23
Other
$57
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Symptoms include burns, open wound, pain and Inability/difficulty in walking, infection, scarring and disfigurement. Debridement and skin grafting are surgical processes used to treat serious wounds and burns.

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

The condition involves an open wound, pain and inability or difficulty in walking. The wound affects the ability to work or perform normal daily tasks.

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

Damaged skin and wounds are common in Kenya due to poor living conditions. Families use open flames for cooking and warmth, leading to burns. Traumatic wounds from farming accidents, road accidents, and violence are also common. Poorly controlled diabetes, an emerging problem, also causes infection and skin breakdown.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Debridement is the removal of dead/damaged tissue skin, and skin grafting is the process of covering damaged areas with healthy skin. Skin grafting involves the transplantation of skin from one body site to another. The transplanted tissue is called a skin graft.

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

Treatment heals the wound and restores normal functioning.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

The risks of treatment are limited. The skin graft may fail or may become infected.

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

There are few quality centers in developing countries. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Amputation, if treatment is delayed. Usually, by the time the patient has come to one of the AMHF partner hospitals, other approaches such as antibiotics and dressing changes have already been tried.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Jocelyn

Jocelyn is a loving mother of four from Philippines. She works as a bookkeeper, and her husband works as a part-time sidecar driver while also looking after their children. Despite their hard work, their combined income is just enough for the family's daily needs. Three years ago, Jocelyn began to experience troubling symptoms, including episodes of epigastric pain. Worried about their finances, she chose to defer her checkup. Unfortunately, the symptoms worsened as she began to experience difficulty of breathing, and persistent vomiting. She was brought to the nearest hospital to be given emergency care. The doctor told her to have an abdominal ultrasound. The test showed that she was suffering from gallstones, which can no longer be treated with medicines. Jocelyn has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Jocelyn is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on February 17th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Jocelyn's surgery and care. Jocelyn shared, "I'd like to thank WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for sponsoring my surgery. May you continue helping people who are financially incapable of paying for their surgeries. You are an answered prayer!"

35% funded

35%funded
$398raised
$730to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.