Musoki is a 70-year-old farmer who lives with his wife in Uganda. He came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking treatment for a left inguinal hernia.
AMHF tells us, “In the year 2013, Musoki got a swelling in his left inguinal region, which becomes more painful when he coughs. The swelling kept increasing with time.”
An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of the intestines through a weak point in the abdominal muscles. The protrusion presents as a painful bulge in the groin, and the pain increases with coughing, bending at the waist, or lifting heavy objects. AMHF reports, “Musoki has not been able to go to his gardens because most of them are on the hill, which he cannot climb because of the pain.”
AMHF continues, “Musoki went to hospital, but he could not afford to pay for the required surgery. If not treated, there will be risk of strangulated hernia, which is a surgical emergency and can be fatal.”
For $220, Musoki can undergo hernia repair, in which a surgeon pushes the protruding tissue back into the abdomen, and sews together the weakened muscle with a synthetic mesh. Over time, muscle tissue grows into and around the mesh to strengthen the area. Funding also covers the cost of 14 days of hospital care, including laboratory testing and medication.
“After surgery,” says AMHF, “We expect a complete recovery with no more risk of strangulated hernia. Musoki will have improved quality of life, and he may now work in his fields.”
Musoki shares, “Despite my old age, I would still be working in my gardens if it I didn’t have the hernia.”
