Khet is a 55-year-old woman who has lived in Burma for her entire life. She became a nurse in 1985 and is now ready to retire. Due to her career as a nurse, she traveled frequently and lived in many divisions and states. She owns a home and nine of her family members live there with her.
As a nurse, Khet earns approximately $110 per month. Since her health began to deteriorate, her debt has risen and she has had to borrow money from her daughter-in-law’s uncle. The family has sold-off high valued items such as furniture and jewelry.
Since 2013, Khet has had high blood pressure and suffered from chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, headaches, nausea, tingling and numbness in her arms and legs, and occasional blurred vision. She has consulted with many cardiologists and has visited several hospitals in Burma.
After having angiogram and cardiac catheterization done, doctors advised her for angio PCI (Percutaneous coronary intervention), a nonsurgical technique that uses a balloon or a stent to open the narrow and obstructed arteries of the heart, but she is unable to afford the procedure. Left with no options, Khet only sought for medical care to alleviate her symptoms, not cure her condition.
On June 24, 2016, Khet’s condition became unstable. She was eventually referred to Watsi’s medical partner, Burma Border Projects, for subsidized treatment. With the generosity of Watsi donors raising $1,500, doctors will be able to successfully treat Khet.
As a nurse and patient now seeking treatment herself, she sympathizes with patients seeking care at Burmese hospitals where they cannot afford the treatment. She is very happy to learn about Burma Border Projects and the work they do. When she recovers, she would like to become a medical volunteer or try to open her own clinic near home.
Khet feels relieved knowing she will undergo surgery. She is looking forward to continuing preparing for her Bible exam and teaching her grandchildren English.