Kelechi Mgboji

His life hangs precariously in the balance. He has a chance of living a normal life again, or he could be permanently confined to a wheelchair. He has been on that condituion for the past two years.

After two years of searching for a solution to his painful spinal cord disability resulting from a motor accident, a glimmer of hope recently arose for Ikenna Eze, a 30-year-old businessman from Nachi, Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State.

Surgeons at the Primus International Super Specialty Hospital, Karu, Abuja, said the man could walk and lead a normal life once again after a spinal cord operation through his front and back sides (a posterior and anterior decompression and fixation).

But the accident victim needs more than N7.5 million to undergo laminectomy, a surgical operation to remove cracked bones and fix new ones.

Only last year, his mother died broken-hearted. She could no longer bear the sight of her son languishing in a wheelchair, and the pains of ministering to the needs of a man that was once a breadwinner but has now become a painful liability.

“Our mother was just getting prepared for Ikenna’s traditional marriage. Then the news of his accident hit her like a thunderbolt and shattered her. She was always with him, ministering to his needs,” said Alphonsus Eze, an older brother to Ikenna.

He told Daily Sun that his brother, who was trading in nylon packaging materials in Abakiliki, had concluded plans for a traditional marriage before the incident.

On August 6, 2016, Ikenna was knocked down by an unidentified motorist in Abakiliki, the Ebonyi State capital, where he was based. On that fateful day, he was on his usual business distributing polythene bags to his customers with his motorcycle when the motorist hit him from the side at a road junction in Abakiliki.

Afraid that sympathisers might lynch him, the motorist hurriedly conveyed his victim to nearby Felix Hospital, paid N10,000 deposit for treatment and then disappeared, leaving no contact details.

After months of intensive treatment, the external injuries healed but Ikenna’s legs got thinner and lifeless. He could not stand on his legs, prompting doctors to suggest that alternative care be sought elsewhere.

They traversed many hospitals and traditional healing homes without a clue to the solution, until a sympathiser in a specialist hospital in Abakpa, Enugu State, advised them to go to the Primus International Super Specialty Hospital, Karu.

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After thorough examination, it was discovered that a section of Ikenna’s spinal cord cracked and the cracked bone was growing inwards, resulting in his paralysis. It was said that his condition might progressively deteriorate.

Dr. Jagmal Singh, a medical consultant, recommended the dual surgical operation (anterior/posterior decompression and fixation) to remove the compressive structures.

In a document sighted by our correspondent, Dr. Singh estimated the surgery to cost at a minimum of N7 million, N3.5 million for each surgery and additional N420,000.

According to the hospital, the estimated treatment cost must be paid in advance, and it would cover the surgery alone.

“If the patient is found not fit for the surgery, the hospital will charge the patient as per normal charges, which will be apart from the given package, till the patient is found fit for the surgery,” the hospital said.

It was stated that, after a successful surgery, the patient would be readmitted for 15 days at a minimum cost of N28,000 per day, amounting to N420,000 for the 15 days, covering bills for medical personnel, feeding, drugs and accommodation.

Thus, a total sum of N7.5 million is required to save Ikenna’s life.

Eze said the family had run out of money, having spent more than N3 million without any positive result. He is appealing to the public to help save his productive sibling.

He said: “We don’t want to lose Ikenna. He is too productive to remain in this condition. He has been a focused young man, adding value anywhere you find him. We’re appealing to philanthropists and the public to come to our help.

“We have spent more than N3 million searching for a remedy. Now that solution is in sight, we don’t have enough to foot the bill.”

He appealed to anybody who wishes to help to pay into Diamond account number 0022889361. The family could also be contacted on 08030546356.

However, anybody wishing to pay directly to the hospital account might contact the management on 08086661532.