Margaret is a 41-year-old who works jobs she can find in her neighborhood. She hails from Baringo County in Kenya and is married with 8 children aged between 26 and three years old. Together with her husband, they work on their farm and other people’s farms to earn a living. They also get their school fees for their kids from this work. Their family lives in a grass-thatched house.
Fifteen years ago, Margaret began to experience troubling symptoms, including a neck swelling that has continuously grown over the years. Before she was seen by our medical partner’s doctors, Margaret had tried to seek medication from different hospitals but she could not receive treatment because of financial strain. She opted for herbal treatments, which did not improve her condition either. Her thyroid condition has affected her general well-being and she cannot carry out her day-to-day duties normally since she gets tired easily. This has affected her daily income and support for her family.
Margaret attended one of the free medical camps held at Kapsowar Hospital and after examination by the doctors, an ultrasound was done. She was diagnosed with a non-toxic multinodular goiter. The doctor recommended surgery, but Margaret is unable to raise the required funds.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Margaret receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on January 13th at our medical partner’s care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $936, and she and her family need help raising money.
Margaret says: “I really look forward to getting well and going back to normal so that I can work like before and support my husband in providing for our family.”