Kyaw is a 68-year-old cow herder from Burma. He lives with his wife in Karen State, Burma, earning just enough to cover their daily expenses.
In January 2018, Kyaw experienced a sharp pain in his stomach. Since there are no clinics or community health workers in his village, he tried to treat himself with herbal medicine. When this did not work, he was brought to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner’s care center, by a friend who was visiting his village. Due to his illness, he is not able to work anymore.
Kyaw has been advised to undergo a biliary obstruction repair, a procedure to repair the blockage of the bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. If left untreated, Kyaw’s symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future.
After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Kyaw is scheduled to undergo his biliary obstruction repair on March 8. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Kyaw’s procedure and care.
“After my recovery, I would like to stop working, and go to the monastery to become a monk, and live an easy life,” says Kyaw.