A Herding Accident, A Caring Uncle and FAME’s Rapid Response
16-year-old Sironka* took his grandmother's cattle out to graze during his school holiday, as he did every morning. Unfortunately, he lost one of the calves. As he was running around frantically trying to find it, he fell on a big stone, landing on his stomach. His grandmother took him to the local clinic where he received some painkillers and felt better.
A few months later, he was building a house for the family’s goats when he fainted. At first, his mother thought it was the weight of the branches he was carrying that caused him to faint until she saw his swollen stomach.
She rushed him to a local dispensary where he was given numerous injections over 3 days. This did not help and he continued to suffer from fainting spells, abdominal pain, loss of appetite until eventually he could not pass urine.
Sironka’s uncle, who lives in Arusha, knew about FAME. He knew it was “a good hospital that makes people well” so he suggested that they bring him there. Unable to be accompanied by his mother who had to stay home with his siblings, Sironka traveled 50 miles alone from his village to get to FAME. His uncle met him in Karatu town and brought him to the hospital.
“When we came to FAME he couldn’t talk, he couldn’t pass urine, couldn’t eat, couldn’t drink even water! And now he is asking for food and water. He says he’s hungry, something he hasn’t said in weeks! It’s amazing!”
At FAME, the medical staff quickly realized that this was a grave situation. Sironka was taken to the radiology department for an x-ray, which showed that his fall had caused more damage than originally thought. Sironka had to have an emergency open appendectomy to remove his appendix, which was perforated and necrotic. FAME’s skilled surgical team was ready and the operation was a success. After five days at the inpatient ward, Sironka is ready to go home.
“When they told me that the boy needed an operation, I was strong. I tried not to show fear. The boy had suffered enough and I knew that something drastic had to be done for him to get better.” - Sironka’s uncle
“Without this operation, he could have died. I believe that. We had lost hope. FAME is amazing, this operation has saved his life. The doctors were quick to act when we got here, we got immediate help and were not left waiting for hours. I believe this promptness and the skill of the doctors is what saved Sironka’s life. FAME is doing a good job!” - Sironka’s uncle
Sironka adds with a shy smile, “Ashe!” (Thank You!)
*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share his photo and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.