UNTIL a few months ago, Mr. Ejiro Diachevbe was a 300 Level student of Economics and Statistics at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, Edo State. His dream of becoming a graduate this year now hangs precariously after he was diagnosed with a rare bone ailment.
A consultant at the Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Dr A.O. Ogbemudia explained that the 22-year-old student’s suffers from a medical condition known as avascular necrosis.
After a series of tests and X-ray, the medical report revealed that he is suffering from avascular necrosis of the right hip joint which requires a N4 million corrective surgery before he can pick up the pieces of his life and move on.
Explaining his situation, the young, promising undergraduate who is now mostly confined to a wheelchair recalled that his travail started when he felt “a sharp pain in the hip” around 2014.
“When I felt the pain in my hip, I went to the Health Services Department of the university (UNIBEN). I was treated and I went home. But the pain remained unabated and I had to return to the health service department days later.”
On his second visit, the doctor recommended
an x-ray for further investigations. “It was when the x-ray result came that I was told of a disease I didn’t know exists,” Diachevbe said.
The finding revealed: “There is some deformity with flattening of the right capital femoral epiphysis associated with partial fragmentation. The iliac, pubic and ischia bones are intact. Findings are in keeping with avascular necrosis of the right femoral capital epiphysis.”
Diachevbe said: “When I took the x-ray report to the consultant at UBTH, he said I had avascular necrosis and required surgery to correct. He said the surgery would cost N4 million. I went online and discovered that the disease has to do with compromise of blood flow to the hip joint, and can be caused by abuse of drug and alcohol.
“The only drug I take without doctor’s prescription is anti-malaria drug, which everyone takes. I am a Christian and have never taken alcohol; I am still wondering how I got this disease and I pray to God to rescue me.”
The life of the bubbling young man has been changed by the diagnosis. He explained that the huge cost of examination and treatment had drilled a huge hole in his parents’ finances. His academic pursuit is also on the verge of being placed on hold because of his inability to keep pace with lectures and other activities.
In a voice laced with emotion, one of his close friends who asked not to be named told The Nation that Diachevbe had already missed second semester examinations which were concluded in December, 2015. “We have tried to assist him in the few ways we could, but there is no way we can read and write the exams for him.”
For Diachevbe, the only choice left is to put his education on hold while he battles for his life.
He said: “For the past five months, every Thursday I go for checkups at the Outpatient Clinic of UBTH, and each time I go for checkup, it is either I am told to undergo one x-ray or the other. Each x-ray and laboratory test cost N15,000, apart from the drugs. My condition has drained my parents’ savings.
“As it is customary, students referred from UNIBEN health centre to UBTH are usually given credit facility card, but the university denied me the opportunity because they said surgery is beyond what UNIBEN can finance.
“I have taken my appeal to NGOs and other civil organisation groups, but nothing much has come out from it. I am about to defer the admission so I can source funds to undergo the surgery and return to school. My course-mates have really been helpful. They come here to cook for me and do other domestic chores. I find it hard to go downstairs to get water. So, when students are in the early hours of the day rushing to take their bath, I wait for them to finish and go to class before I use the bathroom.”
Ejiro Diachavbe can be reached on telephone no: 08172588742.
