“Basemara is a house wife. She has been married for fourteen years but she has never had a child,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Basemera is 43 years old, and lives in Uganda with her husband.
Basemera has uterine fibroids, or noncancerous growths of the uterine tissue. “Basemera has had lower abdominal pain for two years. She also has severe, very painful menstruation,” explains AMHF. “She has not been able to do any gardening for over eight months because of the pain. If not treated, Basemera will continue experiencing pain.” Basemera was initially advised to have surgery but could not afford treatment, and she has been visiting hospitals for medicine that temporarily relieve her pain.
“Her husband doesn’t have a stable income; he operates a motorcycle taxi as his main source of income. Basemera depends on her husband for most of her needs, but sometimes when she has surplus from her harvest, she sells it to get money for basic house needs,” continues AMHF.
For $250, Basemera can receive a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove her uterus, strengthen her pelvic floor, and fully relieve her painful symptoms. This cost includes hospital inpatient fees, surgical supplies, laboratory work, medication, and medical staff. AMHF says, “After surgery, Basemara will no longer be in pain. She hopes to get well again and resume her gardening, even to a larger scale for income generation.”
Basemara is eager to regain her health. She tells us, “I have lived in pain for a long time, and I am very poor. I will be grateful if I get surgery and am relieved of pain. Thank you for your help.”
