By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
A 50 year old Akwa Ibom man diagnosed with kidney failure, Mr. Kenneth Godwin Ekpe, has cried out to Governor Udom Emmanuel and other well wishers to assist him with funds, worths 20m for kidney transplant.
Ekpe who was the Data collector Expert of Network of people Living with HIV/AIDS (NEPWHAN) in the state, currently admitted at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) disclosed that he was earlier diagnosed of the deadly sickness in 2014.
Speaking with newsmen who visited the hospital (UUTH) yesterday, Ekpe, a father of two young boys, posited that his first kidney transplant which took place 8yrs ago at Max Hospital India was successful, however, he was placed on drugs over a long while until he could no longer afford to buy the drugs any more which led to his brief illness, re-diagnosed to be another kidney failure.
According to him, “After the successful transplant, I was placed on medication which I bought till my money got finished and I stop taking the drugs for a while.
Suddenly when I became very sick and visited the hospital, i was re-diagnosed kidney failure, so now my life is in danger.
“I still have a second chance to live, if I undergo the second kidney transplant, but I need financial help, because as we speak, University of Uyo teaching Hospital has transfered me to Max Hospital in India where I had the first transplant.
“The definitive treatment of the second transplant was estimated to cost N20,000,000 (twenty million naira) before operation can take place.
“Please, I’m using this medium to beg my dear state governor, His Excellency Udom Emmanuel, the federal government and the general public to assist me, my life is in danger and I’m so afraid, I don’t want to die now, please I need your help.
“Your Excellency, I have been on three times weekly hemodialysis which cost about N35,000 per session and N105,000 per week.
“I have a lot of people who depend on me, if my life is being cut off, those people will suffer .
“I spoke to the commissioner for Local government and chieftaincy affairs who have been a good public officer and he promised to help.” He added
Confirming the claims, the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Nephrologist consultant, Dr. Bassey Edet Bassey, on behalf of the hospital confirmed that the cost of treatment was far beyond the patient and his family as it translate to 20m.
On her part, wife of the victim Mrs Esther Kenneth Ekpe said the health status of the husband was critical and has affected their lives negatively.
The mother of two young boys also appealed to the wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel to come to her aid by assisting the husband to be restored to sound health
Mr Ekpe could be reach through;
Contact: 08066094302 and supported via his account details:
Name: Kenneth Godwin Ekpe
Acc name: Eco bank
Acc no: 0201049872