This is Joseph.
At just four years old, Joseph had to undergo major surgery for a serious bowel condition.
Joseph’s mum had been incredibly worried about her son, as she knew he wasn’t able to have bowel movement properly, but had no access to medical care.
Dickson and the team heard about Joseph and drove to his village. He was assessed by our healthcare coordinators, who recognised the signs of an anorectal malformation and immediately booked him in for a surgical assessment.
The Impact of The Surgery
The first phase of the procedure Joseph underwent was a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP), a reconstructive surgery in which a specialist surgeon creates a new anus within the sphincter muscle.
This type of surgery requires exceptional expertise. We are fortunate to work with Dr. Sekabira, a senior consultant paediatric surgeon – who was the first surgeon to perform this operation in Uganda.
Following the PSARP procedure, Joseph was fitted with a colostomy bag, a temporary solution to give his body time to heal. A second operation was then performed to remove the colostomy bag and close the wound.
This operation is an important one for us to fund. Having a colostomy presents huge hygiene challenges as it’s hard to source the expensive colostomy bags. With our support, the hospital was able to source and afford the colostomy bags and we worked with them and the parents and carers to ensure they had the support to deal with the hygiene challenges.
Joseph has made a full recovery- and his bowel is now working perfectly and he is expected to be able to live a normal life.
What Happens if Children with ARM Don’t get Access to Safe Surgery?
Without access to surgeries like the one Joseph received, children with anorectal malformation face a lifetime of medical complications. Conditions such as these can cause severe discomfort, lead to life-threatening infections, and often limit a child’s ability to live a full and active life.
Thank You for Your Donations
This surgery would not have been possible without the support of generous donors who contributed to our XNRG fundraiser. The funds raised covered all the necessary costs: from the surgery itself to medical supplies, hospital stays, and post-operative care.
The presence of highly skilled surgeons like Dr. Sekabira, who has trained others to perform this life-changing procedure further reinforces the importance of investing in medical education and training. The ripple effect of one doctor’s knowledge and expertise can give countless children a better future.
Thank you to everyone who made Joseph’s surgery possible. Together, we can ensure that every child, no matter where they are born, has the chance to thrive.
To find out more about the young patients like Joseph whose operations you can help fund please visit our patients page.