By Zika Bobby
In September 2015, Mr. Henry Oshogue, a welder, felt some form of weakness in his body. His initial assumption was that he had malaria. Little did he know that two months later, he would have to struggle for his life at a very high cost.
According to Oshogue, after treating malaria and there was still no improvement, he visited the hospital where he was tested and referred to a medical laboratory for further checks.
But the results of the various tests carried out on him at the Afri-Global laboratory in Ikeja, Lagos, in November last year, revealed that Oshogue’s kidneys had packed up and were no longer functioning. This discovery has now left him continued living hanging in the balance.
Oshogue said the ailment has been taking a huge toll on his finances, as he now does regular dialysis. He explained that at the Renal Dialysis Centre, Ikeja, a session of the procedure cost him N45, 000, and he requires three sessions weekly to stay alive.
“I have exhausted all my resources on the treatment of this ailment. It is only my church that now assists me. The others that were helping me before are tired. Right now, my family and others helping me are tired, so I need this transplant urgently. I am calling on all good Nigerians to come to my aid. Now I am stranded. I need to go for a transplant in India to live,” he explained.
Oshogue said the transplant would be carried out at the Global Health City, Cheran Nagar, Sholinganallur-Medavakkan Road, Perumbakkam, Chennai, India.
To actualise his dreams of staying alive, Oshogue said he needs N10 million. This is to cater for the kidney transplant surgery, and a donor, which, according to him, had been found.
“I already have a donor. But now the N10 million is a challenge for me to raise. I can’t even continue with the dialysis any longer. I was told if did an ‘access’ surgery around my neck, the dialysis will be cheaper, but I can’t even afford that surgery of N150, 000 now. The reason for the ‘access’ surgery suggestion is that doctors are worried that the continued usage of my femoral vein for the dialysis can weaken the spot prior to the transplant. This can be dangerous, they warned. The dialysis only keeps me for two to three days, but the real solution is a transplant,” Oshogue explained.
The medical director of Samsteve Hospital, Akute, Ogun State, Dr. Samson Egbunu, who diagnosed him, said the only solution for Oshogue to live a normal life was for him to have a kidney transplant. Egbunu said the N10 million was a working figure because the final amount could end up being higher due to post transplant expenses. “But for now, let Oshogue just get the N10 million first,” Egbunu said.
Those willing to help Oshogue should contact him on 07038960583.