Asiimwe is a 41-year-old man from Uganda who is married and has three children, two of whom are in school. “He is a primary school teacher,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF).
“Asiimwe first noticed a small swelling in his left inguinal (lower abdominal) area in 1992,” AMHF states. “The swelling was on and off and not painful,” but in 2015 he began to feel pain associated with the swelling and with pressure on the sensitive area.
“In November 2015 he visited a clinic,” reports AMHF, “where he was put in a scan and was diagnosed with hernia,” or a protrusion of intestinal tissue through a weakness in the abdominal wall. “Asiimwe was advised to go for surgery as soon as possible but he didn’t have the money.”
Currently, Asiimwe has a hard time standing for long durations while teaching due to the pain he feels in his left groin area. “Sometimes he teaches while seated, which is unprofessional,” says AMHF. In addition to its effects on his teaching, Asiimwe’s hernia could result in intestinal incarceration, obstruction, or strangulation if left untreated.
“As a primary school teacher, he earns a small salary which he uses to support his family, pay for the education of two of his siblings and support his parents,” says AMHF. Asiimwe needs our help to fund his $220 hernia repair surgery, during which doctors will mend the opening in the abdominal wall and push the herniated tissue back inside the abdominal cavity.
“I’ve lived with hernia for a long time,” says Asiimwe. “I am requesting for your help.” According to AMHF, “After surgery he hopes to recover well and continue teaching without feeling the pain and without worrying about the possibility of losing his job.”
