Relief as Gatundu hospital offers free hernia treatment

Gatundu Level Four Hospital has begun implementing an initiative that is aimed at fighting hernia and lessening the suffering of people living with the disease.

According to Gatundu Level Four Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Nyaga, About 27 per cent of males and 3 per cent of females develop a groin hernia at some time in their life.

Groin hernias occur most often before the age of one and after the age of fifty.

Nyaga urged everyone to take advantage of the facility since screening and treatment of hernia at the hospital is free.

He further lamented that many, especially men are suffering in silence due to stigma because it mostly develops in the private parts.

CONSTANT PAIN

Edinah Kemunto, the mother of a 6-year-old boy said that she has gone through a lot, including leaving her well paying job to take care of her son, because house helps rejected to take care of him due to his constant pain and difficulties in eating and walking.

Hernia occurs when there is a weakness or hole in the muscular wall that usually keeps abdominal organs in place.

This defect allows organs and tissues to push through, or herniate, producing a bulge.

The risk factors for the development of a hernia is smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, pregnancy, peritoneal dialysis and previous open appendectomy amongst others.