Twinobusingye from Uganda raised $249 to fund hernia repair surgery.

100%

$249 raised, $0 to go

$249

raised

to go

Twinobusingye's story
Twinobusingye's update

May 30, 2017

Twinobusingye is a 22-month-old boy living in Uganda with his parents and two older siblings. Twinobusingye’s parents support their family by farming and sell any surplus produce they grow to pay for their children’s education.

Earlier this year, Twinobusingye’s parents noticed swelling near his groin. Around the same time, Twinobusingye began sleeping poorly, developing fevers, and crying through the night. His parents took him to a clinic who advised that they seek additional treatment at a nearby hospital.

After traveling to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Twinobusingye was diagnosed with a hernia and doctors suggested that he have surgery to repair it. He is now scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on May 31, and the $249 to fund Twinobusingye’s surgery will cover the total cost of the procedure.

Twinobusingye’s parents are hopeful that the surgery will allow their son to grow up healthy and strong so that he can join his siblings in school. Twinobusingye’s father is excited for his son to live pain-free, saying, “My son will no long have on and off fevers and having sleepless nights feeling pain.”

Twinobusingye is a 22-month-old boy living in Uganda with his parents and two older siblings. Twinobusingye's parents support their family b...

Photo of Twinobusingye post-operation

July 12, 2017

Twinobusingye underwent repair surgery.

Twinobusingye’s diagnosis was a right inguinal scrotal hernia. However, when surgery began, the surgeon found a right non-communicating hydrocele. Thus, Twinobusingye was treated for a hydrocele rather than a hernia. Twinobusingye’s hydrocele repair was a success. He is no longer at risk of developing infections.

Twinobusingye's diagnosis was a right inguinal scrotal hernia. However, when surgery began, the surgeon found a right non-communicating hydr...

May 30, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Twinobusingye was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
May 31, 2017
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Twinobusingye received treatment at Holy Family Virika Hospital in Uganda. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
June 6, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Twinobusingye's profile was published to start raising funds.
July 12, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
We received an update on Twinobusingye. Read the update.
September 1, 2017
FULLY FUNDED
Twinobusingye's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 2 donors

Treatment

Hernia Repair

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $249 for Twinobusingye's treatment

Hospital Fees

$181

Medical Staff

Medication

$58

Supplies

Labs

$10

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A hernia occurs when a portion of the intestine protrudes through the lower abdominal wall, usually for one of two reasons. The first is a congenital abnormality in which the tissues did not close. The second is excessive stress in an adult, often due to heavy physical labor or pregnancy. Patients experience a bulge or lump in the affected area. The hernia may cause the patient to feel pain, discomfort, weakness, pressure, and sensations of heaviness or aching. These symptoms are often exacerbated when the patient coughs, bends over, or lifts heavy objects. In some cases, hernias have no symptoms and are only detected during routine medical exams.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Patients with uncomplicated hernias may experience only annoyance or discomfort. As the hernia opening expands, the discomfort will increase. Small openings are more likely to trap the intestine, potentially leading to intestinal damage or death.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Hernias are common in Africa. People often do very hard physical labor and lift heavy objects. Women tend to have more children than those in the United States. It is possible that some hernias have infectious or genetic causes.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgery lasts for three to eight hours, depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the hernia. The patient will stay in the hospital anywhere from two days to eight weeks, again depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the hernia. The patient is continually monitored.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

Treatment is curative. The chance of intestinal strangulation or bowel obstruction reduces significantly.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Hernia repair is not a risky procedure, and it comes with few side effects.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Many patients will ignore a hernia until it becomes uncomfortable and seek care at that time. Some people will wear tighter pants or a tight band around the waist to prevent the intestine from protruding.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

If the hernia is not “stuck,” patients tend to ignore it and adapt to living with it. However, this could lead to future complications.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Angelica is a loving and open-minded tailor from Uganda. She grew up with her father and five siblings. After completing primary school, she joined a tailoring school and attained a certificate in tailoring. She currently lives with her husband and three school-age children. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Angelica is currently expecting a new baby to arrive soon. Since her previous deliveries were done via C-sections, her doctors recommend that she deliver via a cesarean section to protect the health of both the mother and the child. During her prenatal visits in Ibanda Hospital, she was told about the services of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Angelica undergo a C-section on February 22nd. This procedure will cost $207, and Angelica needs your support. Angelica says, "I'm very happy for I know I will have a safe surgery, and I will hold a live baby. May God bless you. After surgery, I can continue tailoring, and one day, we shall have our own house and land."

Naw Wah is a 22-year-old living in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand. Naw Wah lives with her husband, grandmother, two sons and a daughter. Her grandmother is retired, while her husband is a day laborer. The family receives some financial support from The Border Consortium, and free basic health care in the refugee camp through Malteser International Thailand. During Naw Wah's third pregnancy, she had to undergo an emergency Caesarean section when her amniotic sac ruptured prematurely. Nah Wah discovered that she is pregnant with her fourth child in May 2023, and during one of her antenatal visits, the doctors informed her that would have to deliver via a C-section again, in order to protect the health of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Wah undergo a C-section on January 9th, at Mae Sariang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Naw Wah's family needs your support. “I feel tired sometimes looking after two of my children with disabilities. My husband has to earn more money for our living expenses, and he cannot stay with us at home a lot,” she said.

Chrissie is a 50-year-old single mother and primary school teacher. She enjoys spending time with her three adult children who live with her. Chrissie has been experiencing abdominal pain, back pain, and other worrying symptoms. After an ultrasound, she was found to have uterine fibroids or abnormal growths that develop in the uterus. Her condition has affected her daily activities and her work as a teacher. Chrissie needs to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to address the pain, other symptoms, and future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, will perform the surgery at Partners in Hope (PIH) Medical Center on March 2nd. They are requesting $1,363 for the treatment. After the surgery, it is expected that Chrissie will no longer be in pain, enabling her to perform her daily functions and go back to teaching. Chrissie said, “I am very happy to be seen at PIH and hope that the surgery will help me get better.”

Twinobusingye's Timeline

Funded by 2 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.