The smiling boy

Our project is the only project with surgical facility in the east part of South Sudan, so nearby project will send patients to us that require surgical treatment. They may arrive in planes or on boats as we are right next to the river. One week ago, we received a 12 years old boy that could not pass urine for 2 days. On arrival, He had a largely distended bladder and in great distress. I found a stone in his proximal urethra and removed the stone for him by cutting open that part of the urethra followed by repair. It's a very primitive operation. In developed areas, we can always remove the stone through the urethra with modern instrument without cutting it open, but here he might as well died after the bladder ruptured if there is no MSF surgical activities in this region. Today I removed the stitches and took off the urinary catheter. 1 hour later, he chased after me and smile at me. Our staff told me that he is so happy to be able to pass urine by himself again without pain and difficulty, he want to say thanks to me! He makes my day! By the way, the hot climate which is over 40 degrees Celsius at daytime and the lack of clean water, make urinary tract stone formation quite common in the area.