A young Congolese saved

Lafurva, from Eastern Congo was injured in a road accident 6 years ago at the age of 14. Because of temporary head injuries, the staff passed a catheter that sadly damaged his urethra. A second catheter was passed through the abdomen to his bladder. Infection set in, blockage, further operations and over the years he started to drip slowly from a hole in his abdomen. His kidneys were obstructed, and he got severe anaemia. He was dying.

In June this year Lafurva and a brother heard of a visiting urological surgeon hundreds of miles to the south. They went there, and an operation was done. Once again he could pass urine normally again. Wonderful! But it was to last only a few weeks. The new urethra narrowed down again, and he was back to dribbling, misery, and facing death.

Was there anywhere else they could try? Across the border in Uganda was a Christian hospital called Kagando. Could they help? The two men went, found the hospital, and wonders, a foreign specialist. Hope started again!

Dr David spoke to them each day in a mixture of French, Swahili, and Lukonzo. He arranged Xrays and scans, explained the problem, and how an opening could be made between Lafauva’s legs, which would bypass the obstruction, enable him to pass urine with a normal stream and be dry again. It wasn’t perfect, but the kidneys and his life could be saved. Three weeks later they were on their way back home, cheerful and thankful – for life, for Kagando, and the doctor and staff. Thank God.