Watsi

Success! Bernard from Kenya raised $1,042 to fund fracture repair from a road accident.

100%

$1,042 raised, $0 to go

$1,042

raised

to go

Fully funded

Bernard's treatment was fully funded on September 15, 2020.

Bernard's story
Bernard's update

Photo of Bernard post-operation

April 17, 2020

Bernard underwent a fracture repair.

Bernard’s surgery was successful to treat his fractures from the road accident. After surgery, he had physiotherapy sessions and a few days later the doctors discharged him back home. He is grateful for the support offered as the surgeries reduced chances of further complications on the multiple fractures he suffered. He will be back for follow-up visits to assess his recovery progress.

Bernard says, “Thank you for contributing towards my treatment. My family is grateful for the support offered.”

Bernard’s surgery was successful to treat his fractures from the road accident. After surgery, he had physiotherapy sessions and a few days ...

February 18, 2020

Bernard is a driver from Kenya. Bernard is a father of 8 children from his two wives. He lives in a rental house and is the main breadwinner in the family. He does not have national insurance nor did he own the vehicle he drove when the road accident occurred.

Bernard is a driver in the public transport system, commonly referred to as matatus. On 12th of February 2020, John was involved in a grisly road accident that left 22 people with various injuries. According to Bernard, the oncoming vehicle was overlapping at high speed at a place that is increasingly becoming a blackspot. Bernard and the other patients were brought to Watsi’s medical partner care center and immediately started receiving treatment. Bernard had a nail implant on his left femur and a right foot closed reduction and percutaneous pinning that morning. He has been recovering and is planned for a second surgery to correct the acetabular open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). He is in chronic pain and is not able to move from his bed.

Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 19th, Bernard will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an ORIF. This treatment will help Bernard heal well and be able to walk and eventually work again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,042 to fund this procedure.

Bernard says, “I am appealing for help to have the surgery. My family is not able to raise the funds needed. I am however hopeful that soon I will be able to walk.”

Bernard is a driver from Kenya. Bernard is a father of 8 children from his two wives. He lives in a rental house and is the main breadwinner...

Submitted by

Learn more

Bernard's case was submitted by Joan Kadagaya at African Mission Healthcare.

Bernard's Timeline

February 18, 2020
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Bernard was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.
February 19, 2020
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Bernard 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.
February 19, 2020
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Bernard's profile was published to start raising funds.
April 17, 2020
TREATMENT UPDATE
Bernard's treatment was successful. Read the update.
September 15, 2020
FULLY FUNDED
Bernard's treatment was fully funded.

Share Bernard's story

Funded by 28 donors

Funded by 28 donors

Treatment

ORIF Hip

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $1,042 for Bernard's treatment

Hospital Fees

$893

Medical Staff

Medication

$47

Supplies

Labs

$68

Other

$34

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Common symptoms include extreme pain and inability/difficulty in using body parts. 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.

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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