“During the cold weather Munawara does not do any work – he has to go to bed to avoid feeling the pain,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). For about a year now, Munawara has had a hernia in his right groin area. “The swelling is more painful during cold weather, when he stands for a long time, and when he lifts heavy items,” explains AMHF.
Inguinal hernias, like Munawara’s, form when intestinal matter bursts through the abdominal muscle into the groin region. Frequent pain from his hernia has taken away Munawara’s ability to work in the retail shop where he is normally employed—meaning the 33-year-old can no longer earn money for the family of four that depends on him.
And in the long run, Munawara’s hernia could become even more dangerous to his health: “if not treated, he is at risk of obstruction,” a complication where part of the intestine becomes cut off from blood flow and tissue death results, reports AMHF.
Hernia repair surgery could, therefore, save Munawara’s life. But as he explains, “Although I am sick and would wish to be well, I don’t have the money to pay for surgery.” He has already spent all of his savings on a previous medical procedure for his leg, which had been injured for two years.
For $220, we can sponsor the operation that he needs, as well as the 14-day hospital stay and medications that will ensure he recovers safely from the procedure.
