Grace W., 17

Grace is a 17-year-old girl currently in Form Four at a local school. She is humble, active, and enjoys playing netball. She aspires to become a teacher after completing her secondary education. Grace lives in the village with her mother and five siblings. Her mother, who is the sole provider for the family, earns a living by selling vegetables at the local market. For the past three weeks, Grace has been experiencing epigastric and lower abdominal pain. Following this, the community health promoter (CHP) referred them to Bokoli Sub-County Hospital for further medical evaluation. However, due to lack of funds to cover the medical expenses, they were advised to seek assistance from Helpster Charity for possible support with treatment. A patient with severe gastritis may require admission when the pain is intense and persistent as is the case for Grace, and/or associated with complications such as dehydration. Hospital admission allows for close monitoring, intravenous medications, and supportive care to stabilize the patient.

Grace was diagnosed with gastritis and required admission for four days, during which she received continuous treatment and close medical monitoring. Over this period, her symptoms gradually improved, and she regained her strength. Once the medical team confirmed that her condition had fully stabilized, she was safely discharged to continue recovering at home. Her mother was deeply relieved and grateful to see Grace return to her bright, cheerful self after days of worry. She expressed sincere appreciation for the care and support that helped her daughter recover.

Grace came to the facility when she was in bad condition and if she was left untreated gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach lining, could have lead to serious complications. These can include stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, and an increased risk of stomach cancer, particularly with certain types of chronic gastritis.