Ben Bright Mkpuma, a 49 year old online journalist based in Abuja has appealed for support to help finance his kidney transplant.
Mkpuma, the Ebonyi State indigene, said he knew about the illness when he suddenly took ill, late last year, at his home in Abuja and was taken to First Aid Hospital in Mararaba, where he was referred to a government hospital but due to neglect he decided to go to a private hospital for proper care.
“24th December last year, I went into coma after the dialysis. It is God that brought me back to life. I have been punctured in my lower abdomen severally. My doctor has now suggested that I will be given a permanent line in my hand which, as at last year cost N180, 000. I don’t know how much it will cost this year”
Speaking on how much he spends on treatment, he said, “It is pretty difficult for me to maintain daily dialysis because of the cost”. Adding that “it cost approximately N30, 000 per treatment and I need to do that thrice every week.”
Mkpuma said he is yet to receive any help from National Headquarters, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) as they are to get back to him. He however commended efforts made by Mrs. Rafat Salami, Secretary of NUJ, Abuja chapter who came up with the idea of raising money for him via WhatsApp tagged “Journalist Roundtable” and has raised N100, 000 so far.
“I also thank Paul Ella, the Abuja NUJ Chairman for his personal donation of N25, 000 but I beseech them not to give up on me”, Mkpuma said.
He also called on the Federal Government to come to his rescue as the money saved in his course of duty had been spent on treatment and surgery will be carried out in Garki General Hospital by Indian doctors, “I need 10 million Naira for the surgery but before I undergo it, I need dialysis to survive”.
