Mugisa is 66 years old, a widower, and father of seven living in Uganda. He is a peasant farmer, but he has no source of income because currently he is unable to dig. This is due to an inguinal hernia. Currently, he depends on the mercy of his friends and children.
Mugisa developed a small swelling in his right inguinal area in 1989, and since then the swelling has continued to increase in size. The swelling is painful when he lifts heavy items, climbs a hill, or when he walks for a long distance. He also experiences pain in his right leg.
In the past, Mugisa visited a hospital where he was given painkillers which didn’t help him. Recently his neighbor told him about assistance for surgery at Virika hospital, a Watsi partner site, and he decided to come and seek for that help. If the right inguinal hernia is not repaired, Mugisa may suffer intestinal incarceration, obstruction and/or blockage.
For $220, Mugisa will receive hernia repair surgery, during which the doctor will use surgical mesh to support the weakened area in his abdominal wall. After surgery, Mugisa hopes to get well and resume digging as well as have good health.
“I want to have surgery so that I can have at least 10 more years of life,” shares Mugisa. Let’s help make it happen!