Birungi is a subsistence farmer from Uganda. She is a mother of five children and came to our Medical Partner’s Care Center Nyakibale Hospital with a neck mass that has been persistent for over 10 years. She also has a dry irritating cough, persistent heart palpitations, headaches, and difficulty breathing. Her daily work, she notes, has been affected by her swelling.
When Birungi came to the hospital, she was diagnosed with a goitre and thyroidectomy is recommended. However, she is not able to meet the cost of surgery. Birungi works on her farm to make ends meet. She has to divide up her earnings to meet daily needs and pay school fees for her children. She did not manage to complete her own schooling due to lack of school fees.
About 10 years ago, she lost her husband leaving her to raise their children. She is appealing for financial assistance to meet the cost of surgery which if not done, could result in airway obstruction among other complications.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Birungi receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 6th at our medical partner’s care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money.
Birungi says, “I am hopeful for a better life after my surgery and expect to resume with farming after I getting better.”
