Lawrence is a young 20 year old man from Namuwongo (the district in which International Hospital is located). Lawrence has had more than his fair share of troubles; he was born into a family of 16 but has lost both his parents and 12 siblings. In April of this year (2008) Lawrence was travelling in the Luweero District (Central Uganda) and was seated in the front of a vehicle which had a head on collision with another vehicle. He was fortunate to survive the accident but acquired a deep cut in the heel of his left foot.
Lawrence was taken to a clinic where his wound was stitched; however it did not heal well and became septic. Lawrence then went to Mulago hospital for further treatment. Lawrence required several operations, firstly to remove the dead tissue from his septic wound (debridement) and then another operation to correct an ensuing deformity in his leg. However, he did not have the money to afford all the treatment and so he stayed in Mulago hospital for three months. Lawrence says his family helped him for one month after which they despaired and have not been able to support him since then.
When Lawrence was discharged from Mulago hospital his wound had still not healed so he kept going back to the clinic he had first visited for about a month. He says that the staff at that clinic ‘got fed up with a wound that could not heal’.
In early September some friends in Namuwongo advised him to seek assistance from Hope Ward. He came to the Touch Namuwongo Clinic hardly expecting to be accepted, but he was and was admitted onto Hope Ward for two weeks. He now visits the Touch Namuwongo Clinic daily to have his wound cleaned and dressed. The nurses on Hope Ward say that Lawrence’s wound is healing and should be perfectly fine in a short time with continued care and daily dressing.
Lawrence now wears a broad smile, has hope that he will fully recover and sends a message of thanks and appreciation to all those who help to sponsor care at Hope Ward.
