Saw Ta is a 60-year-old man who lives with his wife, five daughters, and five sons in a refugee camp in northern Thailand. Originally from Burma, he fled to the refugee camp with his family due to conflict near their village. All of his daughters and two of his sons are students in the refugee camp. One of his sons is a pastor and does not receive a salary, while the other two are day labourers. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions on leaving the camp, they find it difficult to find work. Saw Ta’s wife works for the Karen Women’s Organization in the refugee camp. Their monthly household income is not enough to cover their large household’s basic needs or the medical treatment that Saw Ta now needs.
In late 2020, Saw Ta developed back pain, a fever, and pain. He went to the hospital in the refugee camp, where he was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and admitted for care. He received treatment and was discharged home after he recovered. However, every month his symptoms would return, and he would be readmitted at the hospital to treat his infection. Last March, staff from the organization Malteser International (MI) brought him to Mae Sariang Hospital due to his frequent infections. At the hospital, he was diagnosed with stones in both of his kidneys as well as hydronephrosis. He received pain medication and the doctor referred him to Chiang Mai Hospital (CMH) for further treatment.
Due to restrictions, Saw Taw had to wait to receive a letter from Thai authorities to leave the camp and travel to CMH, which he received in July. Then he underwent a kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) x-ray. The doctor confirmed his diagnosis, and performed a percutaneous nephrotomy that same day, inserting a catheter into his right kidney to drain it. He received a follow-up appointment for three months later and was brought home. However, he was unable to return for his appointment due to the refugee camp being placed under a lockdown because of COVID-19 cases.
Saw Taw was finally able to return to the hospital on November 30th, 2021. While there, the doctor changed the catheter in his kidney and told him he needs surgery to remove the stones from his right kidney. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund is helping him undergo treatment and is raising $1,500 to fund his care, which is scheduled for January 28th, 2022.
Currently, Saw Ta suffers from pain in his back and his lower abdomen. He experiences pain when he passes urine, has no appetite, and feels tired after doing small tasks. In the future, he wants to help his family with household chores. He also wants to find work and help his community.
“I worry when I think about my health problems,” Saw Ta said. “I hope that after my surgery my pain will disappear.”