For 15 years, Tusiimomwe has lived with a painful hernia. She is a wife and mother of two who lives in Uganda, and recently came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking treatment.
“Tusiimomwe developed a swelling on her lower abdomen that had on and off pain,” AMHF tells us. “When Tusiimomwe would work, she would feel something swelling on her abdomen, and it would later disappear. She did not get medical treatment because she could not afford it.”
A hernia is a protrusion of the intestines through a weak point in the abdominal muscles. The protrusion presents as a painful bulge in the abdomen, and the pain increases with bending at the waist or lifting heavy objects. “If not treated,” explains AMHF, “Tusiimomwe may have intestinal obstruction.”
“Currently the pain is so much that sometimes Tusiimomwe cannot even sleep. She is also unable to dig in the family’s farm.”
Doctors have told Tusiimomwe that she needs surgery—a herniorrhaphy—to repair the hernia. During the procedure, 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.
For $120, Tusiimomwe will undergo surgery and receive two days of hospital care. “The surgery shall alleviate the pain,” says AMHF. “Tusiimomwe will recover fully, and she will be able to return to work.”
“I will be very happy when this pain is gone,” shares Tusiimomwe.
