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…Seeks N2m to undergo surgery
The life of Chisom Duruokpo, a final year Agriculture Economics student of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, is currently endangered. And she needs help, urgently. What particularly raises concern on her condition is the ongoing nationwide doctors’ strike that has been on since July 1.But even as 21-year-old Chisom grapples with the reality of the situation, which may affect her academic programme, what is more important to her now is getting her health back to normal. Looking frail and tired, she said her predicament started late last year after she successfully undergone an appendicitis operation at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Curiously, a few months later, her stomach began to protrude, even as there was an unusual sensation within her.
Merely looking at Chisom, there could be the temptation that the once vivacious lady was due for labour. But that is far from the situation. She is only suffering from an abdominal inflammation, which doctors assured could be corrected through surgery. Incidentally, Chisom, who hails from Orlu, Imo State, even in her troubling circumstance, is optimistic that she would bounce back to her former self with the help of kind-hearted Nigerians.
She manifested her determination to live when even with her excruciating health challenges, she managed to finish her first semester examination. She had before the doctors’ strike, gone to LUTH for diagnosis.
But sadly, while her result was being processed in a private laboratory, the doctors had already embarked on an industrial action. When she returned to LUTH, the hospital was as silent as a graveyard.
She was advised to visit any of the private hospitals that had the capacity to handle her case. It was at that point that the family knew that financial danger was looming.
The family members traversed many private hospitals. Unfortunately, the medical bill in those hospitals was way beyond their reach. Her abdominal ultrasound’s report, made available to New Telegraph, and signed by a Consultant Radiologist, Dr Igwilo J.U., reveals that there is a large central complex mass in her stomach. The ultrasound, however, shows that her liver, both kidneys and gall bladder are in normal working conditions.
Her condition, she managed to mutter in considerable pain, was giving her restless nights, describing it as a burden too heavy for her. The medical report reads: “There is a large central complex mass displacing the viscera postero-laterally.
The mass measures 380.18cm, comprising multiple nodules, cystic and necrotic tissue. There is also a gross enlargement of the ovaries by a soft tissue mass. The liver is of normal span and shows a normal homogenous echogenicity. No focal lesion is seen within it. The porta hepatis, veins are all normal. Both kidneys are of normal size, shape, colour and contour. No calyceal dilatation or calculus is seen in either kidney. The gall bladder, pancreas and spleen are also normal.
” Her fear and anxiety over the gradual of her health could be felt as she beseeched doctors to urgently call off the strike. Having just one semester examination to sit for her to become a graduate, she also begged Nigerians to quickly come to her assistance in seeking medical treatment at a private hospital. Except help comes quickly, she may not partake in her last examination, which is already around the corner. It is, indeed, a gloomy and dicey situation for Chisom as she worries over her health as well as her education at the same time.
“Some months ago, I noticed that my stomach began to swell up gradually. I told my parents and we went to LUTH for a scan. By the time the result was ready, the doctors were already on strike. We went to LUTH but there was no doctor to assess the result. “I am feeling great pain at the moment, but it gets worse at night.
My last exam for me to become a graduate is very close. There is no way I can concentrate on reading my books. My legs are also swollen and I only manage to walk. I am pleading with the governor of my home state of Imo, Rochas Okorocha and President Goodluck Jonathan to help me out of this painful situation. My plea also goes to all spirited Nigerians to help put smile on my face again,” she pleaded.
Her father, Mr. Paul Duruokpo, said the family had been to several private hospitals in search of lasting solution to his child’s ailment but was currently hampered by its financial limitations.
According to him, about N2 million is being demanded to save the life of the first of his two children. Duruokpo grieved that the doctors’ strike was adding to the family’s sorrow, explaining that the financial requirement wouldn’t have been that huge if clinical services were available at public hospitals. According to him, N2 million is out of the family’s reach.
He said: “I was previously dealing on tailoring materials but for now, I operate a commercial tricycle, otherwise known as Keke Marwa for survival. There is no way we can raise such amount of money. That is why we are using this medium to beg Nigerians to come and assist us so that my daughter can successfully finish her education and become more useful to herself and the society. She has just one semester to complete her education.”
For any financial or otherwise assistance, the family can be reached on 08161184471 or 08055811404. Interested individuals and groups may also send money to the Fidelity Bank account no 6016918387. The name is Duruokpo Ebere Paul.
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