Prince K., 6

Prince comes from a humble, low-income background and is the third of five children. The children live with their father after their mother abandoned them due to unresolved family issues. Their father earns a very small income from looking after animals and receives only about 100 shillings per day. This limited income allows him to provide only breakfast and supper, and he is unable to afford school fees for the children. They live in a remote area where they depend on water from a river stream. Prince's father was introduced to Helpster by a neighbor who had previously received care at our facility. Knowing that Helpster supports children in need of medical treatment who cannot afford to pay, the neighbor encouraged the father and even helped bring Prince to the hospital, where he was admitted. Prince was brought to our emergency unit by his father with a one-week history of a painful swelling in the right inguinal region. This was accompanied by fever and restlessness. The father reported that the symptoms had worsened over time despite giving paracetamol at home. Abdominal examination revealed an irreducible, tender swelling in the right inguinal area. A diagnosis of an incarcerated inguinal hernia was made and later confirmed through a regional ultrasound. Prince underwent an emergency unilateral herniotomy, and he was received from theatre in stable condition.

Father brought the child in the facility, he reports that the child started developing a 1 week history of painful right inguinal swelling. The swelling has been longstanding and on and off, but got worse in the past 1 week. There was associated hotness of the body and restlessness. On examination A diagnosis of incarcerated inguinal hernia was made and confirmation of diagnosis made via regional Ultrasound. Emergency Unilateral Herniotomy was done and Prince was received from theatre in a stable condition and after awhile he recovered and discharged on a good condition.

Prince's prognosis is good with an immediate medical and surgical attention to avoid complications arising from the tissue death due to strangulation and intestinal obstruction in cases where the intestines herniate through the hernial sac. He will progress well after the surgery