Mugume is a 39-year-old married man from Uganda who has four children. He and his wife are peasant farmers, and he also does some trading to earn additional money. Even with the extra work, the family’s income is minimal, making it difficult to save funds and also provide for the family’s needs.
Mugume has lived with left scrotal swelling since February 1996. He visited a hospital that year and was diagnosed with a hernia. Over the years, the swelling has increased, making him feel uncomfortable and weak. Mugume visited a hospital again last year and was correctly diagnosed with a hydrocele.
A hydrocele is a sac of watery fluid around one or both testicles that causes swelling in the scrotum or groin. The fluid comes from the abdomen and travels along the same paths that the testes follow when they descend into the scrotum before or shortly after birth. While hydroceles may occur at any age, the cause of their development is generally unknown.
Mugume will need surgery to treat the hydrocele. During the operation, the surgeon will make a small incision in the scrotum to remove the sac of fluid and then use stitches to close the path between the scrotum and abdomen so that no more fluid can accumulate.
The process for Mugume to receive free surgical care has been lengthy, and his family cannot afford to pay for his treatment in a private hospital. If not treated, he will continue experiencing pain and discomfort.
“The process for me to get free surgery has become very long, and I’ve lost hope that I will get treatment,” shares Mugume.
For $185, Mugume will undergo a hydrocele repair to decrease the scrotal swelling. Funding also covers the cost of a three-night hospital stay, an ultrasound scan, and medicine to prevent infection.
Mugume hopes to have a successful operation so that he can concentrate on agriculture to earn more money for his family. “I will be glad if you help me,” he says.
