Wife of chronic kidney patient cries for help

IT is a cry for help from a troubled woman, Mrs. Vivian Chukwukelu, whose husband, Augustine Chibeze Chukwukelu has been diagnosed of chronic multiple kidney failure and is in need of a kidney transplant.

The 42 -year-old man and father of a one- year-old son, according to doctors, needs urgent kidney transplant, if he must live a normal life again.

In a passionate plea to corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians, Mrs. Chukwukelu said her husband requires urgent kidney transplant, the cost of which her family cannot afford.

According to her, they got married two years ago and have a one-year-old son. However, when their young marriage was about to blossom, her husband was diagnosed of chronic kidney failure on August 16, 2014.

She said: “His two kidneys are bad. His incessant vomiting, diarrhea and trauma with very high body temperature was a challenge for us to
manage.”

“We were referred to start dialysis which we did and have continued to do up to date. But recently he started collapsing during the dialysis sessions and he loses consciousness for many hours.”

“After all these, the relieving effect hardly lasts two days before he develops swelling again on his face, stomach, waist and limbs.”

Dr. A. E. Nwansi of Platinum Dialysis Centre, Owerri, Imo State capital, where Augustine undergoes dialysis sessions, said that his kidney problem is very chronic.

The doctor, who described the stage of Augustine’s condition as “end stage renal disease “requiring only kidney transplant as solution”, said though he has been undergoing haemodialysis since September, 2014, the sessions are sometimes hampered by inadequate fund.

Dr Nwansi, however, in his report about the case, recommended that Augustine would “benefit immensely from kidney transplant as he is still young with a promising future.”

Also in his report, Dr. E. I. Balogun of Madonna University Teaching Hospital, Elele, Rivers State where Augustine’s case is being managed, said that Augustine is being managed “as a case of chronic kidney disease secondary to chronic glometulonephritis (end stage).”

He recommends treatment by a kidney transplant, which he suggests will be better achieved outside the country.

To have the kidney transplant in an Indian hospital will cost about N10, 000, 000 (ten million Naira).

The cost includes cost of donor, surgery, drugs, and airfare for the patient and others, accommodation for the duration of stay in India and other miscellaneous expenditure.

Vivian says this amount is too much for them to afford and, worst still, they don’t have a kidney donor.

Explaining Augustine’s medical history, his cousin, Mrs. Kasie Abone, a Thisday columnist, said that Augustine suffered very serious health problems as a lad, which affected his kidney.

“Over the years the problem has gotten worse to this chronic stage when both kidneys have become very bad. His health condition has become a very big challenge and source of concern to the family.”

If Augustine’s condition touches you to help, please contact his wife, Mrs. Vivian Chukwukelu on 08064140426 or his cousin Kasie Abone on 08057511558 and 08033188199.