The Struggle to Access Safe Surgery

A Parents’ Struggle to get their Children Safe Surgery

Not being able to get your child the medical care they need is a parent’s worst nightmare. Yet, today, 1.75 billion children around the world don’t have access to safe surgery.

Conditions that could easily be operated on like hernias and appendicitis kill, and injuries such as burns from a cooking fire result in lifelong disabilities and birth malformations that go untreated.

In the countries where we work parents and carers often seek alternative healthcare that can sometimes worsen a condition or take on the catastrophic expenditure that leaves them in serious debt and unable to pay school fees or buy food.

We directly fund surgery for children who don’t have access to the medical care that could save or change their lives.

The Race for Lifesaving Medical Care

In 2018 a study revealed just 25% of Uganda’s population can access emergency surgery within 2 hours.  It leaves a big chunk of the population, particularly in rural areas lacking transport, unable to reach safe and timely surgery. For many walking or cycling to the nearest health centre is the only option.

Yet many of us will be familiar with the term “the golden hour” the critical period of time when life-saving medical or surgical intervention gives the highest chance of survival for a seriously injured or sick patient.

But for many people around the world, especially in Uganda where we work, that golden hour is spent trying to reach a hospital with an operating theatre. For children with hernia complications or traumatic injuries every minute counts. Many lose their lives because they couldn’t get to care in time.

The Burden of Out-of-Pocket Surgery Costs

In many low and middle-income countries, the official policy is that all surgical care at Government hospitals is to be delivered for free. The reality though is somewhat different with patients often having to pay hidden ‘out of pocket’ costs. Patients can be charged for instruments used during surgery, the hospital stay, medications and follow-up care.

With 41% of Uganda’s population living on less than $1.90 a day, the chances of being able to contribute towards the cost of an operation are slim, especially among parents who may have to choose whether they can pay the school fees or medical care. If medical treatment is paid for it can easily be a ‘catastrophic expense’ pushing households into further poverty.

Making Safe Surgery Accessible for Kids

Our healthcare coordinators are making sure that children in areas with no access to medical care who would struggle to afford to reach the hospital get the life-changing and life-saving operations they need.

Our team visit rural areas, sometimes driving for two days, where children with serious conditions can then be assessed for potential surgery. Once it’s confirmed that an operation is their only course of treatment the patient and their family are given a consultation with the surgeon to explain the surgery on offer. Once the family consents to the operation, our team can book it in. Donations cover every aspect including consultations, transport, hospital stay, post-op care and medical supplies and medications.

Changing a Child’s Future with Surgery

Giving a child the safe surgery they need is giving a child a healthy, bright future where they can achieve their dreams and ambitions.

We love hearing the stories of how children have returned to school and are thriving, able to focus on their studies without being distracted by illness and pain.

To find out how safe surgery has transformed children’s lives visit our Success Stories.

How you can help children get the operation they need

There are many different ways you can help give a child the surgery they need. No matter how much you can afford to give, as a one-off donation, through regular giving, or by fundraising, your donation matters and will make an impact.

To donate please click here.