Success! Henry from Kenya raised $640 to fund.

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$640 raised, $0 to go

$640

raised

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Henry's story
Henry's update

September 30, 2019

Henry is a motorcycle taxi operator from Kenya. He is was the sole breadwinner and father of five children with four school-going children. After the accident, his wife who was formerly a stay-at-home mom, now does laundry in the neighborhood to provide for the family.

Some time ago, Henry was involved in a head-on-collision with another motorbike resulting in a mandibular fracture. He is in pain and not able to chew solid foods.

Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On October 3rd, Henry will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $640 to fund this procedure.

“That was a dark day for me. It pains to see some of my children home because I cannot afford to buy them some of the things they need for school. I hope through God’s help, everything will be made right again,” shares Henry.

Henry is a motorcycle taxi operator from Kenya. He is was the sole breadwinner and father of five children with four school-going children. ...

Photo of Henry post-operation

December 3, 2019

Henry to fund.

Henry had a successful surgery to repair the mandibular facial fracture. He is doing fine and after a review yesterday, he attested o feeling much better than he was before the surgery.

“I feel much better than I was before the surgery and I am currently trying to chew on solid foods something I couldn’t do before, Thank you so much,” said Henry.

Henry had a successful surgery to repair the mandibular facial fracture. He is doing fine and after a review yesterday, he attested o feelin...

September 30, 2019
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Henry was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
October 5, 2019
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Henry's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 29, 2019
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Henry received treatment at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. 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.
December 3, 2019
TREATMENT UPDATE
Henry's treatment was successful. Read the update.
February 3, 2020
FULLY FUNDED
Henry's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 8 donors

Treatment

ORIF Mandible/Simple

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $640 for Henry's treatment

Hospital Fees

$586

Medical Staff

Medication

$22

Supplies

Labs

$32

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

This procedure corrects a severe, poorly aligned fracture where the ends of affected bones are far apart. Such a fracture may occur anywhere in the body (leg, hip, arm, jaw, etc) usually as a result of trauma. Common symptoms include extreme pain, inability/difficulty in using limbs, and deformed limbs.

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

A non-union leads to chronic disability, pain, and inability to work.

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

Car/motorcycle taxi accidents are the number one cause. Work-related accidents and violence are others. The condition is more common largely because African roads (particularly Kenyan roads, where this procedure is approved) are among some of the most dangerous in the world.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

In general, an ORIF (open-reduction internal-fixation) procedure uses rods or plates to bring multiple parts of bone together and help them heal correctly.

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

Curative. An ORIF fixes the broken bone, restoring it to complete function and enabling the patient to be able to work.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This procedure has medium surgical risk but most trauma patients are young and tolerate the procedure well. Overall, the risk of surgery is less than the risks of the alternative (traction), or doing nothing. There is a risk of the metal becoming infected, which would require antibiotics and perhaps removal of the hardware and a second surgery.

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

There are few quality orthopedic centers in developing countries. Often patients have received initial care for a fracture at another hospital and may have been placed in “traction.” This involves placing the affected limb in a cast under tension for prolonged periods to try to re-align the bones. Those who have funds try to make their way to a place like Kijabe Hospital. Most patients seen in Kijabe who are in need of an ORIF are patients who have been mismanaged in other hospitals. Usually, those hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat them.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

As mentioned, traction is an alternative for some — but not all — cases. And traction requires a patient to be in the hospital, immobile, for months — leading not only to lost wages but risk of bedsores, blood clots, and hospital-acquired infections.

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Henry's Timeline

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Funded by 8 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.