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Tag: kidney transplant

  • Patient needs N12m for kidney transplant

    Patient needs N12m for kidney transplant

    Miss Regina Anyanwu, a graduate of English from the University of Port Harcourt, needs N12 million for kidney transplant abroad to remain alive, writes CHINAKA OKORO

    •Miss Anyanwu
    •Miss Anyanwu

    On November 21, 1972, the family of Mr and Mrs Jeremiah Anyanwu of Umuduru Village Egbelu Amaimo in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State was enveloped with joy. That was at the birth of their beautiful daughter Regina Urewuchi Anyanwu who is now 43 years old.

    After her primary education at Egbelu Community School, Amaimo, she enrolled into Ugiri-Ike Comprehensive Secondary School also in Ikeduru LGA for her secondary education, after which she attended the University of Port Harcourt, Choba Rivers State where she studied English Studies.

    After her graduation in 2009, she was employed by Hannahs Fast Food/Restaurant Port Harcourt in 2010 as a supervisor.

    Regina was bubbling with life and was doing well in her job until September last year when the unexpected happened. She took ill. Since then, Regina has been battling a life-threatening renal problem.

    When she took ill, she was taken to Rivon Clinic (In/Out Patient Clinic) Plot C1, Rumuogba Residential Estate Port Harcourt for treatment.

    There, she was diagnosed with acute renal failure and is currently undergoing dialysis thrice weekly. She urgently and desperately needs help, for the dialysis sessions and for the kidney transplant in India.

    Since then, Urewuchi as she is fondly called, has neither been herself again nor been able to return to school for her proposed Master’s degree in English language at least to actualise her dream of becoming one of Nigeria’s intellectuals that would contribute to her socio-economic and political advancement.

    Again, her only brother and sister (Vitalis and Charity) and those who know Urewuchi, have been in shock as they watch her wither away gradually as her condition deteriorates.

    Her relations had already spent millions of Naira, thus stretching the family’s resources beyond its malleable limits, even as it has plunged them into massive debts. Those who have an idea about dialysis sessions would appreciate the financial implications of what Urewuchi, her friends and relations have gone through in terms of money already expended while on admission in the hospital for some time now.

    No doubt, Urewuchi is still alive by divine providence. She should have gone to India since last year as advised by her doctors on a very urgent note, for proper medical treatment. This has not been possible due to the paucity of her brother’s purse.

    The inability of her brother and other relations to raise N12 million has prevented Urewuchi from enjoying her normal life again. Ensuing from this seedy situation, Urewuchi has remained in Nigeria experiencing excruciating pains. N12 million has stood between this once bubbly, lovely and hard working lady and normal life.

    Consequent to non-availability of the needed fund, she has been a guest to several hospitals in Nigeria in spirited efforts by her distraught brother and relations to sustain her until they are able to raise such whopping amount of money to send her to India for the kidney transplant.

    Urewuchi, the once beautiful creature full of life is now a pathetic sight to behold. Her voice and appetite have also been affected. She has shrunk so dangerously and her skin colour and texture have undergone dramatic change. She could hardly speak audibly and seldom eats.

    Recently, her condition became worse, a development that made her doctors to warn seriously this time around that she can no longer afford to delay her trip to India to have the required and necessary medical treatment.

    A medical report issued and signed by the Medical Director of Rivon Clinic Dr B.C. Okpala on January 18, 2016 gave these pieces of information:

    “To whom it may concern: Medical report/financial assistance. Re: Miss Anyanwu Regina Urewuchi: female, 43 years.

    The above named patient presented with Acute Renal Failure in our Renal Unit secondary to Hypertension. She has been classified as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

    “She requires Kidney transplant soonest. The cost of dialysis thrice weekly with injection of Erythropoietin is N135, 000 weekly, i.e. N540, 000 monthly.

    “The cost of Kidney transplant is N12 million only (because of the high exchange rate of the dollar), including transport and anti-rejection drugs for one year. This is the cost if done in India.

    “We solicit your help for this woman to survive.”

    Afraid that he and his family may lose their precious daughter and sister should they continue to save money on their own to ferry their daughter to India for the kidney transplant, Regina’s brother and friends, forced by the degeneration and the piercingly agonising misery which she has been in for some time now, have decided to appeal to their fellow Nigerians for financial assistance.

    They are appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians to help them raise N12 million required to finance her medical trip abroad.

    This is a situation where members of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) community, Faculty of Humanities and the Department of English Studies of UNIPORT are challenged to show solidarity to one of their own who is in dire need of their help.

    Those who wish to help Regina Anyanwu to live her normal life again should pay into the following bank account opened for such purpose

    Anyanwu Vitalis Chika, account number: 0051669075, GT Bank

    Regina’s heartfelt appeal goes to government at all levels, philanthropic organisations, corporate bodies, professional bodies, women groups, parents who understand the pangs of labour and other distinguished Nigerians who, we are sure, cannot sit by and watch this ailment waste Regina.

    The earlier she travels to India for the kidney transplant, the more sure we are that Regina will live to become one of Nigeria’s contributors to her development.

    For further information, contact Regina on 08037923763 or her brother Vitalis of Shaves Barbing Salon, 13, Market Road, Rumuomasi Port Harcourt Rivers State on 08037061500.

  • Patient needs N6m for kidney transplant

    Patient needs N6m for kidney transplant

    Since 2006 when 48-year-old Femi Emmanuel was diagnosed of diabetes and kidney disease, life has not been the same. The graduate of Quantity Surveying from the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke is currently grappling with such life-threatening ailment.

    Narrating his ordeal to Southwest Report in his residence at Ore, headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, where he is currently recuperating, Emmanuel recounted how the sickness began in 2006 when he was diagnosed of having diabetes before he was later informed that he had also developed symptoms of kidney disease.

    Mr. Emmanuel, a father of two whose condition has completely deteriorated as a result of the ailment, has become a regular visitor to several hospitals, healing homes and religious centres, explained that apart from the initial financial commitments he made at the onset of the illness, he later became weak and unable to do his surveying job. Being cash strapped, he had to depend on people’s goodwill as members of his family, friends and public-spirited individuals; including the former Ondo State Commissioner for Adult, Technical and Vocational Education, Mrs. Margret Akinsuroju, who he said has made series of financial contributions on his poor health.

    He further explained that in the quest for solution to his health challenge, he was directed to visit Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Centre in Ondo town, where he was diagnosed of kidney-related ailment.

    He added that medical and diagnostic examinations were later carried out through what he referred to as Paediatric Echo Cardiograph and some drug prescriptions.

    Emmanuel said the drugs which were very expensive could not give him permanent respite as the problem resurfaced again few months after leaving the hospital.

    He added that upon his return to the hospital, he was referred to a specialised hospital in India for further medical attention.

    His words: “After a short respite, precisely one month after leaving the hospital, I developed the same symptoms again, but this time, it became more severe. I quickly rushed back to the same hospital, where I was later referred to an India hospital for further medical attention.

    “What I need now is assistance from public-spirited individuals for the treatment in India. I appeal to religious bodies, non-governmental organisations, politicians, government, private and corporate organisations to assist me, so that I will be able to come back alive.

    “The treatment in India will cost $8, 000. This is too much for me and my family as we have exhausted all we had treating the ailment here. $ 8,000 is too much a burden for me to carry after exhausting all savings and donations received from public-spirited individuals.”

    The father of two appeals to well-meaning Nigerians to assist him financially so as to save his life.

    There was a medical report issued by the management of Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Centre and dated June 26, 2015 which authenticated his claim indicated that the patient was diagnosed of Down syndrome and kidney disease.

    “To Whom It May Concern, Medical Report” Re: Femi Emmanuel Aged 48.

    The Report reads in part: “Clinical assessment showed that Emmanuel has features consistent with Down Syndrome and Echo Cardiograph revealed Ventricular Septal defect which has resulted in repeated hospital admission.

    “Femi Emmanuel requires further evaluation in a centre with facilities for cardiac surgery to correct the kidney abnormality and genetic studies to evaluate his chromosomal abnormality.

    “This letter therefore serves as an introduction of the patient for assistance that will facilitate other evaluation abroad.”

    Emmanuel, who is currently experiencing excruciating pain as he could neither  walk nor sit without being aided by somebody, therefore, appeals for urgent financial assistance to enable him to undergo the surgery in India and subsequently regain his life again.

    Anyone willing to assist this father of two can do so by paying such donation into the account opened in the name of Femi Emmanuel. Account Number 2087414938 Zenith Bank Ore town to facilitate his medical trip to India.

  • Patient needs N7m for kidney transplant

    Patient needs N7m for kidney transplant

    The importance and functions of the human kidneys cannot be underestimated. These organs keep the composition of the blood stable; allowing the body to function optimally.

    The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist and are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine.

    Every day, the two kidneys filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood to produce about one to two quarts of urine, composed of wastes and extra fluid. But then, sometimes certain medical conditions can occur to alter the optimal functioning of these organs.

    Some of the functions of the kidneys include, but not limited to prevention of the build-up of wastes and extra fluid in the body; keeping levels of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and phosphate stable; making hormones that are helpful to the body system; regulating blood pressure; making red blood cells and helping the bones to be strong.

    For 49-year-old father of five, Olanrewaju Abimbola Olaoba, these optimal functioning of the kidneys are no longer the same and for about seven months now, life has not been the same for him.

    In February this year, Lanre Olaoba was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), even as he is also a hypertensive patient.

    He lay on his sick bed at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) helpless. The result of the kidney diagnosis shows that the organs, as at February, are still in normal location and orientation but the renal sizes are reduced in keeping with the condition of chronic infection.

    For Olaoba, who only recently lost his wife to breast cancer, life will be back to normal after he must have undergone major surgical procedures to replace his two damaged kidneys.

    According to the medical report issued by the Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. O Aremu of the EKSUTH, Olaoba has been having sessions of hemodialysis “but grossly inadequate due to financial constraints”.

    Aremu, in February, placed Olaoba on twice weekly session of hemodialysis which cost N20, 000 each at the hospital, regular checks and medications for his hypertensive condition among others all at the cost of N147, 000. He strongly recommended that there was an urgent need for a transplant to save his life.

    Six months after, Olaoba now undergoes renal dialysis thrice a week at the MTN Renal Clinic of the hospital.

    A member of his family, Rev. Olaitan Olaoba said: “The enormous financial burden of the weekly dialysis he undergoes to keep him alive since January 19, this year, is currently crippling the family financially. I am desperately in need of financial help from good-spirited Nigerians. Olaoba is soliciting for the sum of N7 million to undergo an urgent renal transplant either in a Nigerian hospital or in India.

    To save Olaoba Olanrewaju, financial help can be rendered thus: FCMB Ado Ekiti branch – Account Number – 2864 069 015. For further information, call Rev Olaoba on 0803 3966 560. He will also need to continue the maintenance hemodialysis until he gets the kidney transplantation done.

    We, therefore, plead for financial assistance from good public-spirited individuals; governments, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and corporate organisations towards the three-time weekly dialysis and the final kidney transplantation.

    Olanrewaju’s condition is quite pathetic as he hasn’t been able to run his restaurant business since January this year. To compound issues, he lost his wife in March this year to breast cancer. More so, the five children are currently in school.

  • Man, who has not urinated since January, needs N9m for kidney transplant

    For 43-YEAR-OLD Okechukwu Okoro, life has been so tough. He has not urinated since January– no thanks to a kidney problem that requires N9m to rectify. Okoro, who is resident in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, is from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.  He is on admission at the male medical/surgical ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

    The young man’s wife, Chinenye, stated in Port Harcourt that her husband was diagnosed of End Stage Kidney Failure, with the two kidneys affected and had been sustaining his life through dialysis three times a week, since September 2013.

    Chinenye said: “My husband is now on maintenance dialysis three times a week. The cost of dialysis, with blood transfusion, iron sucrus injection, recormon injection, glucometer, pre and post-dialysis tests is N54,000 per session, at three times a week, totalling N162,000. For one month, it is N648,000.

    “According to medical advice, the only solution to save the life of my husband is transplanting of kidney and one year anti-rejection drugs, which is N9 million. We cannot afford the money.

    “I am pleading with government, corporate and non-governmental organisations, individuals and other members of the public to assist us, so that my husband will survive. Support should please be sent to: Okechukwu Okoro, GTB – 0139571638.”

    Chinenye also presented a letter from the Renal Unit of UPTH, signed by Dr. C. Wachukwu, a Consultant Nephrologist, affirming that Okechukwu is on admission in the hospital and suffering from end stage kidney failure.

    Wachukwu noted that survival of Okoro depended on life-long maintenance dialysis or kidney transplant, stressing that both modalities of treatment are expensive, requiring a minimum of $40,000 or the local equivalent, not within the reach of average patient.

  • Girl needs N8.5m for transplant

    Girl needs N8.5m for transplant

    Yomade Balogun is a pretty young lady battling with chronic kidney disease. The 26-year old was initially diagnosed to have had high cholesterol level after noticing a swelling on one foot in 2006. Since then, she has been fighting the kidney disease with numerous medications coupled with several visits to the hospital. From Ekiti State hospital to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Yomade started receiving treatment under the supervision of Dr Busari at Gbagada General Hospital until the commencement of the ongoing strike of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

    She is presently receiving dialysis treatment at Clinis Health Care costing N100, 000 twice a week to survive. Dialysis is the artificial process of eliminating waste and unwanted water from the blood i.e. an artificial replacement for lost kidney function.

    Now she has been advised to go for an urgent kidney transplant with a cost projection of N8.5million which her widow and civil servant mother working with Somolu-Bariga Local Government in Lagos State cannot afford. She is seeking assistance from Nigerians in her battle against the disease.

    Yomade graduated from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife in 2009 after which she was posted to Yobe State for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) the following year. Upon completion, she enrolled for CIPM (Chartered Institute of Personnel Management) and learnt sewing. The Ondo State indigene and fashion designer is hopeful if promptly rescued.

    She wants all financial support directed to these accounts: Balogun Yomade Yewande GTB: 0130520176, DIAMOND BANK: 0051136447, ZENITH: 2084974783.

  • Taofeek needs N8m for kidney transplant

    Taofeek needs N8m for kidney transplant

    Some four decades and nine years ago, there was excitement and joy in the home of alhaji mudashiru and alhaja amudalat amori alayaki of okun alfa village, in etio-osa local government area of lagos state. God had blessed the young couple with a bouncy baby boy who they named taofeek, meaning god’s favour.

    taofeek was bubbling with life as he grew into adolescent and eventually adulthood. being so promising, he went into printing as a profession in which he excelled, being a job he loved so much.

    he later got married to adenike, with who he has four children. he was full of life and making considerable progress in his cherished career and family life until last year when the bubble burst.

    the unexpected happened and the young, energetic and vibrant son of alayakis was hewn down by an uncaring and life-threatening kidney problem in february, 2013. since then, taofeek has been battling this grave renal problem.

    his family and well-wishers did not abandon him. they, especially his dear wife, have been taking him from one hospital to the other where he has been receiving treatment.

    he was first taken to gbagada general hospital. he was also a patient at the magmed specialist clinic and dialysis centre magodo. when there was hope of his being totally cured, his health relapsed and became worse. since the deterioration of his health, family members, in-laws, friends and well-wishers have been apprehensive that their cherished taofeek may be a grave man if nothing urgent and drastic is done as advised by his doctors.

    to still keep him alive, the hospitals’ management, at different times, had to act fast by placing him on life-support machine and carrying out dialysis every five days which costs n40, 000 each session.

    his family and in-laws had already spent n2 million, thus stretching the family’s resource beyond its impressionable limits, even as the situation has plunged them into huge debts. those who have an idea about dialysis sessions would appreciate the financial implications of what taofeek, his family; friends and relations have gone through in terms of money already expended on receiving medical treatments in these two hospitals.

    no doubt, taofeek is still alive by divine providence. he should have gone to india since last year as advised by his doctors on a very urgent note, for proper medical treatment. this has not been possible due to the paucity of his family’s purse. the inability of his family and relations to raise n8 million for a renal transplant in india has prevented taofeek from enjoying his normal life again.

    he has remained in nigeria experiencing excruciating pains. n8 million has stood between this once bubbly, lovely and hard working man and normal life.

    consequent to non-availability of the needed fund, he has become a guest to these two hospitals in nigeria, in spirited efforts by his distraught family and relations to sustain him until they are able to raise such whopping amount of money to send him to india for the kidney transplant.

    taofeek, the once handsome, vivacious creature full of life is now a pathetic sight to behold. he has shrunk so dangerously and her skin colour and texture have undergone dramatic change.

    recently, his condition became worse, a development that made his doctors to warn seriously this time round that he can no longer afford to delay his trip to india to have the required and necessary medical treatment. but the doctors have continues to give him treatment to sustain him until his family and relations are able to raise n8 million for a trip to india for a comprehensive treatment that will engender his absolute cure.

    medical reports issued by gbagada general hospital and magmed specialist clinic and dialysis centre suggest that urgent action should be taken to make taofeek travel to india as soon as possible to enable him live normal life again.

    in an issued letter by gbagada general hospital was dated april 2, 2014, with ref no gbgh/3/c/vol.xxx/401.

    the report signed by dr bomi-omowo reads: “to whom it may concern: “the above named patient is a 49-years-old man known hypertensive diagnosed about one-year-ago (sic) and being manage (sic) at our centre for end stage renal disease. patient is presently (sic) on maintenance dialysis (twice a week) and also on the following medication…

    patient, however, required (sic) your assistances (sic) to enable him undergo his renal transplant which will help him lead (sic) an optimal life.

    the medical report by magmed specialist clinic and dialysis centre dated march 10, 2014 was signed by dr adebayo oyelola.

    to this end, an alayaki taofeek account has been opened with access bank plc, with the following details: account name: alayaki taofeek olayiwola, account number:  0053983804 has been opened to enable benevolent individuals who wish to help taofeek get well and live his normal life again to make their donations. for more information and verification, you may wish to contact him on 08023713623.

  • Kidney transplant patient relives experience

    Kidney transplant patient relives experience

    Coming down with end stage renal failure is not the end of life. A retired police officer who survived kidney transplant recounts his experiences to WALE ADEPOJU.

    With a grin on his face, Mr Bartholomew Osuji, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), recounted his journey to the land of the ‘dead’, and how he survived the experience of being an end stage renal failure patient.

    He said: “I enjoyed good health as a police officer for so many years until I had an encounter with a gang of armed robbers. Kidney disease is something we never experienced in my family. How I came about it only God knows?”

    Osuji said his case began while on duty, saying: “As a senior officer, you are expected to do incident duty. While on an incident duty at Anthony Village, a suburb of Lagos, I was attacked by armed robbers. I was alone in the car because I had permitted my men to go and get water to drink at a nearby kiosk. That was at about 11pm, in 2008. The robbers opened fire on the car I was in. But God is so good I was unhurt. I managed to call out on my men and we returned fire. One of the robbers was killed, but the rest escaped.”

    Mr Osuji, a catechist with Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, said three days after the incidence he started feeling unwell. He said he went for check up and the doctor said he was in shock.

    Another examination with a different doctor proved the same, as the doctor said it was shock from the gunshot. “I tried different hospitals, hoping to get a different result, but all said it was the shock I was experiencing,” he said.

    He continued:“But the story changed later from shock to hypertension and hypertension to kidney failure. This was confirmed at Reddington Hospital, Lagos in 2009, although the incident happened in 2008.”

    He said the worse could have happened if his family and the Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi had not flown him to India for a kidney transplant. “I thank God who brought me out of the land of the dead to the land of the living. The people, who donated money for my treatment, I don’t even know. The Reverend Father just contacted some of them that one of his catechists needed their help and they helped,” he said.

    Osuji said the police did not played a part in his treatment. “They said I didn’t take any paper from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Police Affairs before I travelled to India. But I was flown to India unconscious and incapacitated. My son went to Abuja while I was in India, but they didn’t do anything to help me,” he said.

    He said his wife went through a lot agony for about eight months prior to his transplant trying to get help without success. “But I was always encouraging her that nothing happens without God knowing about it. And that if we believe and trust God, he would help us. And God did.”

    He was full of thanks to Reverend Father Innocent Opuga, who contacted the parishioners to raise money for his treatment.

    He couldn’t do much by himself again, adding: “I was warned not to engage in strenuous tasks again.”

    He lamented about the cost of drugs, describing it as “expensive and beyond the reach of a common man.”

    He said he usually takes five different drugs daily as instructed by the transplant doctors.

    Osuji said he must have a compulsory medical check yearly in India, which costs N1.6 million ($10,000), including travelling expenses and drugs. “So, by September I have to be in India again. Some parishioners who know me have already been asking me when my next check up would be,” he added.

    He said doctors in India advised he has a check up every fortnight but he was only able to go monthly because of fund at St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos.

    Calling on the Federal Government, he said many Nigerians had died in India before their transplant.

    He said the government should establish a centre where kidney patients can have transplant. “Many of our doctors are on course in India. So, the government can transfer the technology to our country to save the lives of patients,” he added.

    Osuji said there was a doctor whose clinic was in Ikeja, a suburb of Lagos, who tried to get the government to establish a centre but nothing came out of the effort he made.

    Osuji accused the police of not providing regular medical checks for its officers and men. This, he added, is why many die suddenly. “At Solomon Barracks, no fewer than three offices have died since I returned from India,” Osuji said

  • Ololade needs N8.1m for kidney transplant

    Ololade needs N8.1m for kidney transplant

    Miss Ololade Aina is battling chronic life-thre-atening kidney ailment and needs N8.1 million for a transplant abroad to remain alive, writes CHINAKA OKORO

    On September 5, 1985, jubilation and joy enveloped the family of Mr and Mrs Aina who were residents of Lagos but indigenous to Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State. That was at the birth of their beautiful daughter Ololade who is now 28 years old. She is the second out of three children of Mrs Abioye Aina.

    She enrolled into the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta to further her education. Incidentally, she had to combine her academic activities with business due to some unsavoury family circumstances in order to help her mother, Mrs Abioye Aina to cater for her and three other siblings. She was employed by Integrated Corporate Services Limited (ICSL) in Lagos as a contract staff.

    Ololade was bubbling with life and was doing well in her job until two years ago when the unexpected happened. She took ill. Since 2012, Ololade has been battling a life-threatening renal problem.

    When she took ill, she was taken to Dialyzer Specialist Medical Centre at 60, Arowojobe Street, Oshodi Lagos for treatment.

    There, she was diagnosed with CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE and is currently undergoing dialysis twice weekly. She urgently and desperately needs help, for the bi-weekly dialysis sessions and for big one, the kidney transplant in India.

    Since then, Ololade has neither been herself again nor able to return to school at least to actualise her dream of becoming one of Nigeria’s female intellectuals that would contribute to her socio-economic and political advancement.

    Again, her parents, especially her mother who has been both man and wife for the family and those who know Ololade have been in shock as they watch her wither away gradually as her condition deteriorates.

    Her mother and relations had already spent millions of Naira, thus stretching the family’s resources beyond its malleable limits, even as it has plunged them into massive debts. Those who have an idea about Dialyzer Specialist Medical Centre would appreciate the financial implications of what Ololade, her mother, friends and relations have gone through in terms of money already expended on her being on admission there for some time now.

    No doubt, Ololade is still alive by divine providence. She should have gone to India since last year as advised by her doctors on a very urgent note, for proper medical treatment. This has not been possible due to the paucity of her mother’s purse. The inability of her mother and relations to raise N8.1 million has prevented Ololade from enjoying her normal life again. Ensuing from this seedy situation, Ololade has remained in Nigeria experiencing excruciating pains. N8.1 million has stood between this once bubbly, lovely and hard working girl and normal life.

    Consequent to non-availability of the needed fund, she has been a guest to several hospitals in Nigeria in spirited efforts by her distraught mother and relations to sustain her until they are able to raise such whopping amount of money to send her to India for the kidney transplant.

    Ololade, the once beautiful creature full of life is now a pathetic sight to behold. Her voice and appetite have also been affected. She has shrunk so dangerously and her skin colour and texture have undergone dramatic change. She could hardly speak audibly and seldom eats.

    Recently, her condition became worse, a development that made her doctors to warn seriously this time round that she can no longer afford to delay her trip to India to have the required and necessary medical treatment.

    A medical report issued and signed by Dr E.K. Asomugha on behalf of the Medical Director of Dialyzer Specialist Medical Centre on December 27, 2013 indicates that Miss Ololade Aina was assessed and it was discovered that she had chronic kidney disease secondary to chronic glomerulonephritis and was commenced on haemodialysis. She is placed currently placed on two times-weekly schedule.

    Miss Aina has been advised on Renal Transplant as a mode of her renal replacement therapy and she is currently making effort towards finding a suitable donor for the transplant operation.

    Afraid that she and her family may lose their precious daughter and sister should they continue to save money on their own to ferry their daughter to India for the kidney transplant, Ololade’s mother and friends, forced by the degeneration and the piercingly agonising misery which Ololade has been in for some time now, have decided to appeal to their fellow Nigerians for financial assistance.

    They are appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians to help them raise N8.1 million required to finance her medical trip abroad.

    To this end, a Save-Ololade-Aina dedicated account number GTB 0004258886 (205/133092/1590 OLAWUNMI BELLO) has been opened to enable benevolent individuals who wish to help Ololade get well and live her normal life again to make their donations.

    Those who are parents would better appreciate a situation where they watch a dear son or daughter in such a very distressing condition and lack the wherewithal to do anything to halt the heart-rending situation. What a scary thought it would be!

    Nigerians are noted for their large-heartedness. Those who are moved by Ololade’s optimism that, she would not die but live to testify the goodness of the Almighty and the benevolence of fellow Nigerians in the land of the living should not delay or hesitate to come to her rescue.

    Imagine that Ololade is your daughter or your sister. Right now, the most consuming desire of this girl’s heart is to be alive and well again to resume her academic career. Nigerians, known for their eagerness to compassionately respond to distress call like this would not let Ololade down and allow the unrelenting disease to waste her young life.

    Every kobo donated towards making Ololade to come back to her normal life goes a long way to retrieve her from the cold grip of death.

    Ololade’s heartfelt appeal goes to governments at all levels, philanthropic organisations, corporate bodies, professional bodies, women groups, parents who understand the pangs of labour and other distinguished Nigerians who, we are sure, cannot sit by and watch this ailment waste Ololade.

    The earlier she travels to India for the kidney transplant, the more sure we are that Ololade will live to become one of Nigeria’s famous female contributor to her development.

    Please, help her as God Almighty whose other name is Mercy, would watch over you and your entire household, even as He takes care of your needs.

    For more information and verification, you may wish to contact her mother Mrs. Aina on 08027120175 or her Auntie Olawunmi Bello on 08027714488.

     

  • Untold story of DELSU’s first kidney transplant

    Untold story of DELSU’s first kidney transplant

    A team of surgeons, including Delta State Governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, makes history by performing the first kidney transplant at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara. Shola O’Neil tells the untold story of this medical feat.

    A smiling Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of Delta State, emerged from one of the ultra-modern theatres of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, on Monday afternoon with DELSUTH’s Chief Medical Director Dr Leslie Akporiaye. The smile on the governor’s face told a success story. After about two hours of operation, the governor, a DELSUTH medical team and their partners from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in the United States, had performed the first successful kidney transplant in the Southsouth and Southeast.

    The US experts were part of the team because of on a Memorandum of Understanding between DELSUTH and UTSMC. The deal led to building of infrastructure, equipment and capacity building. In spite of the preparation and the high-calibre professionals involved, extra care was taken because the operation was a very complicated and delicate one with an infinitesimal margin for error. Two lives were at stake: a loving mother, who was the donor and her 23-year-old son.

    They were both on the operating table and at the mercy of a medical team working with some of the best medical equipment in the world. Explaining the procedure in an exclusive interview Niger Delta Report on Wednesday morning, Uduaghan, an Anaesthetist, disclosed that the operation was a very delicate one that required high degree of expertise and highly skilled professionals. For the medical doctor-turned-politician, there was no nerve.

    “I did anaesthesia too; the theater is a familiar ground to me. It was like going back to base. “I was there through out from when they started anaesthesia to when the surgery was being done. I knew we had the equipment, the personnel and everything needed to successfully do it. “First of all, there are two kidneys in the abdomen. The function is to remove all the unwanted things in our blood. It is a filtration point in our body and allows us pass waste out as urine. When the kidney’s become dysfunctional, it means we cannot produce urine and that is very deadly.”

    Commending the successful operation, Maureen Ona-Igbru, an expert, explained why every process from the planning to the actual surgery and post-surgery had to be perfect. “The new kidney may be rejected. Rejection is a normal reaction of the body to a foreign object or issue. When a new kidney is transplanted into a recipient’s body, the immune system reacts to what it perceives to be a threat and attacks the new organ, not realising that the transplanted kidney is beneficial. “To allow the transplanted organ to survive in a new body, medications must be taken to trick the immune system into accepting the transplant and not attacking it as a foreign object,” she added. It was against this backdrop, that there was tension after the operation on Monday afternoon. At the end, it was a happy ending.

    There were emotional hugs, back-patting and tears of relief from both family members and spectators. Uduaghan said: “This is a happy day for me. I know we were well prepared for this surgery and we also have a good post surgery team.” Dr Akporiaye said they were well-prepared for the transplant. “A number of DELSUTH staff team went to Dallas to observe and to work with the people from the University of Texas. In this team, you have two surgeons from the University of Texas-South Western, Kidney co-ordinator and anphologist, a physician and you have a director of the global health office because all of this is under the auspices of the Global Health Office.” Barely 24 hours later, there was a similar operation, howbeit with a role reversal.

    A 21-year-old son gave one of his kidneys to save the life of his mother. This barely two hours operation, on Tuesday, was also successful. It raised hopes that the huge capital flight resulting from seeking medical attention outside the shores of Nigeria would soon become a thing of the past. The two successful operations led to expectations that the hospital would soon start overflowing with patients. For this, the governor said plans are already afoot to deal with influx of medical tourists to Oghara. “As soon as funds are available we are employing and training more personnel. Right now the whole place is overflowing. The hospital is having the problem of bed space; we hardly see where to keep the patients. “We are trying as much as possible to shorten the stay of patients in the hospital.

    We are trying to put up a small ward, 300-bed ward. The design has already done and we are dealing with paper work now. Hopefully, we will send the memo to Exco and when it is approved we will award the contract,” he enthused. However, beyond the satisfaction of achieving a medical first in the area, those who have followed the story and controversy of the hospital would know that the events of Monday and Tuesday were also personal victories of sort for Uduaghan, whose huge investment on equipment and facility at DELSUTH had generated so much controversy and raised highbrows. Uduaghan’s decision to go ahead with the plan of his predecessor – Chief James Ibori – in keeping the health facility in Oghara (Ibori’s hometown) did not go down well with many interests. Some of the critics believed that it was too far away from the Delta State University, Abraka campus where the Medicine Department is sited. There was also the concern about the huge fund being plunged into the massive complex. But justifying his vision, an elated Uduaghan told Niger Delta Report: “To get good healthcare, you have to invest; people have to put in money. With all our investments we are able to do this kidney transplant. We have done knee replacement, hip replacement and pacesetter implant, using techniques that are not very common in the hospital. “Good healthcare ensures that many of your citizens do not migrate to other countries because for a patient that moves from Nigeria to other countries, there is a lot of outflow of funds involved.

    They have to buy tickets, pay for hotel, eat and that is what is called medical tourism. But if we are able to treat such patients in Nigeria I believe it will improve our economy. We are talking about Delta State Beyond oil and one area that we are looking at is medical tourism. This is one way we are starting our medical tourism. “I think this (kidney transplant), pacesetter operation, hipbone replacement and kneecap transplants are justifying our investments. But I have nothing against them (critics). I think most of them were doing it not understanding that we need to invest in health to ensure people are healthy and get adequate treatments.

    So far, I will say so far so good. “ Speaking on some of the equipment at the hospital, Uduaghan boasted that DELSUTH is among the most equipped in the country, stressing that in its Neonatal Unit, which deals with the first 28 days of a baby’s life, “we have one of the best units in the whole of Nigeria today. Children are being brought from all over the place and other hospitals.” He further revealed that the complex is also home to one of the two Computed Tomography (CT) Scan (64 Slice) machines in the country, adding that it is upgrading the existing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 0.35 Tesla to the exotic 1.3 and 1.5 varieties. Medical experts say the MRI and CT scans are modern equipment used for various probe and diagnosis of the anatomy both in healthy and diseased bodies. “We do tele-radiology – that means once we do the radiology, it doesn’t need to be interpreted by somebody on ground. Within a few minutes, the test has been sent by internet to any radiologist in the world and they send back the report.

    “We also have a lot of equipment in laboratory that can do so many things. Before, some specimens needed to be sent abroad but now we are partnering with a South African firm and we are able to do a lot more than many other places. “Our ICU (Intensive Care Unit) is one of the best equipped in Nigeria today. We have the special ventilators and monitors that you might not find in other places. The monitors that are connected centrally to a centre monitoring unit, they are all there,” he stated. Questioned on fear of government’s poor maintenance culture, Uduaghan allayed fears of rot and abandonment of the equipment. He said the state government had recently extended its maintenance agreement with the equipment suppliers. While the agreement is running, local engineers, who will eventually take over the running, are being trained to ensure constant maintenance.

    “One of the things we are doing gradually is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in some units of the hospital. We are starting with the laboratory. We have PPP arrangement with a South African firm that is now managing the laboratory. We hope if that succeeds we can go to some other areas of the hospital.” He assured people of the state that facilities and treatments remain subsidised. “Government will continue to make it affordable for the people of the state. We have bought the equipment, we are paying the staff and it is not a profit-making hospital. So those costs that were borne by private medical hospital are no longer there. So, the cost is reduced. “Before, kidney patients before they get transplant, they usually start by doing dialysis, which simply means flushing the blood as the kidney would have done before, a machine does it. Before this time, it cost about N22,000 in most places but with our subsidy, it costs about N5,000 in our hospital. Before, some patients who needed about three sessions in a week are forced to do just one and that is not good for them; it damages their body more.”

  • OJB’s surgery successful

    OJB’s surgery successful

    Veteran music producer, OJB Jezreel’s kidney transplant surgery was successful.

    He has since been discharged from the Columbia Asian Hospital, India where he had been admitted for the operation.

    The multi-talented music guru spoke through a release, expressing his appreciation for the supports of his fans.

    The statement below:

    Dear fellow Nigerians.

    Greetings from far away India !I am sure this note from me will catch you with a little surprise. I have been reading a lot of news about ME being published on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and different Blogs by my good friends.
    I thought I must take out a quick moment and let you know that I am officially discharged today from the hospital, after a successful Kidney Transplantation Surgery, by God’s Grace. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Nigerians for your prayers & good wishes, without which all this would not have been possible.
    I also take this opportunity to thank my friends, fans and family for all the love, prayers and good wishes for a Speedy Recovery!! Be home with you soon…
    Thank you once again sincerely,
    Your very own OJB Jezreel.

     

    Congratulations to OJB.