I'm down with kidney problem, help save my life

His ordeal started in 2019 when he was diagnosed with kidney disease. He now battles for survival having exhausted all his life savings managing the condition. With about fifteen million he would have a transplant that would keep him on his feet again, but where this would come from is the big question on the mind of Mr. Ovansa Jimoh Umar, a lecturer with the Federal College of Education, Okene. He shares his feelings and travails with Y.J ITOPA, GRACE BEN-KATO AND LOUIS YUNUSA. Read on!

Little about you!

My name is Ovansa Jimoh Umar, an indigene of Kogi state from Adavi Local Government Area. I am a lecturer with the Federal College of Education, Okene, where I teaches Biology. By God’s Grace, I’m the Dean of Sciences of the institution.

When did you discover you have kidney problem?

I was diagnosed with kidney problem in 2019 at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja. The nephrologist told me I have to go on hemodialysis. From there I proceeded to Gwagwalada teaching hospital where I was having dialysis. When I was diagnosed with this disease, someone introduced me to green world product. I spent a lot of money on the product and still the problem persisted. When I was discharged from Gwagwalada teaching hospital, the nephrology doctor warned me that even if I couldn’t have three dialysis in a week, I should try to have at least, twice weekly.

How much do you spend on this dialysis?

Hmm…! One dialysis cost N25,000 and I have to do it twice a week. Besides that, there is this drug, erythroprotein injection that also costs N10,000 weekly and N2,500 for Iron Sycrose. I have been on the dialysis twice every week since 2019. The Doctor told me the only alternative was transplant and that would cost me N12million and this is beyond my reach. I have gone round seeking financial assistance that was not forth coming. I have tried to discuss my plight with a lot of people, I haven’t gotten positive responses so far.

You mean no help has come your way?

I haven’t really received reasonable assistance. Just recently when I had crisis my wife pressurized me to go on social media, I was only able to raise three hundred and fifty thousand. A part other expenses I have made, I could remember I was having up to N4.5million that I have spent since this problem started and this is the money I was thinking if I could get help I would be able to add up and have the transplant. Lest I forget, at the early stage of the problem I solicited assistance from my place of work, I was given five hundred thousand naira. Another senior staff of the institution with similar problem got the same gesture, we were given the same amount each.

With your condition, do you still lecture?

No! But at times I go to the office, just the office I can’t lecture.

How have your family been coping?

They just have to adjust. It’s not been easy.

What next for you, especially now that you are having crisis frequently?

That is why Iam pleading for people to come to my assistance financially. I need help to live. I am appealing to the government of Kogi state and other spirited individuals to help me.

Where are you having your dialysis?

It was at the Gwagwalada teaching hospital, but because it was one of the centre used for the management of Covid-19 last year, I had to move to National hospital. Now, I am in a private hospital in Abuja for my dialysis. I travel twice every week to have my dialysis.

Why are you not using facilities here in Kogi?

There was a time I had crisis and was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, there was no Doctor to attend to me. In order not to waste so much time since I was in crisis, I asked to be taken to Abuja where I was attended to immediately I got to the hospital.

If help eventually comes your way, where would you have the transplant?

I am going to have the transplant here in Nigeria at Caroline Medical Centre in Abuja. I am not going out of the country. Like India, when you browse they would tell you it would cost only six million, mind you, that is just the cost of the surgery alone, they won’t include other costs, you would face the reality when you get there.

How much do you need to have a successful transplant?

I was told with fifteen million naira I would have the surgery and other care that I need until I recover fully.

Are you going through any form of depression?

I don’t have any choice, I have to adjust myself and face the reality. One thing about me is that even in the midst of this challenge I keep on thanking God. There are diseases or ailments that are not as serious as this but has killed so many. For me, it is thanksgiving to God, because amazingly, with this condition I am still alive and hopeful of bouncing back one day, because it has solution, some don’t.

What keeps you going?

It is God. He is the reason I am still alive. I just have the hope that one-day God would send help my way.