An official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, in Edo state command, Ibhafidon John Odion 46, have been battling kidney disease in the last two and half years.
Odion who hails from Esan West Local Government of Edo State, said the illness has rendered him incapacitated, as he has not been able to go to work.
He said taken care of his family has been a serious challenge and that his wife has been doing every thing for the family .
Odion who joined the NSCDC in 2012, said the sickness has gulped all his saving and now relied on family members, friends and office colleagues to eat and carry out his dialysis treatment.
“Sine 2021, I have been battling with kidney problem and I am currently on dialysis at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Narrating his predicament, Odion said “It all stated in 2021, I was in office one day, I went to urinate but urine was accompany with blood. I went to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the doctor said it was infection and they gave me some drugs”
According to him, he felt relieved after taken the drugs prescribed for for him and continue his daily activities
“But after sometimes, the problem resurface again I still went to UBTH, i was admitted and I spent three months in the hospital before I was discharged”
So after i have recovered, I went back to work but after several months, I was down again, I went to UBTH again, it was then the doctor told me thay my kidney is having problem and I was again admitted in the hospital”.
“I started dialysis in 2022. I undergo dialysis two times a week and each dialysis with drugs cost N42,000 and without drug is N39 000. I usually go for dialysis Wednesday and Saturday every week”
He explained, “I though I would be able to shoulder the responsibility alone but at moment, I have exhausted all that I have and now rely on friends, family members and colleagues in the office who often come to my aid”
He said if not for them, it would have been difficult for him to undergo the dialysis, lamenting that he spent an average of N80,000 weekly on dialysis.
“I thought, it is something I can handle on my own but it is far above my capability and that is why i am crying out for help”.
Odion told Daily Trust on Saturday that he has not been able to go to work in the last six month occasssioned by the illness.
Continuing, he said “I have not be going work over six months now, my colleagues in the office have been very supportive, my wife has been everything, he takes the children to school and carry out other household jobs”.
“I have two kids and I am still paying their school fee and because of the illness my salary is not even enough to cover my two week dialysis treatment”.
“I am passing through hell and I never thought I would face this kind of problem where I would have to rely on the benevolence of others to survive”
“And now, the doctor has told me that I need a kidney transplant and they said I need N20 million to do the transplant. But, where will I get the money” he lamented.
“I am appealing to the state government, well meaning individuals and organisation to come to my aid, because I am dieing and it is difficult for me to foot the bill”
‘I am also begging the Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki to come to my aid so that I would be able to take care my children. The load is too heavy for my wife alone to carry.
“Life is unpredictable, but I am hopeful that God will send a help me. I need help so that I can continue to service my country” he said.
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