A 10-year-old boy, Tobias Uguna, is currently in pain over what has been diagnosed as hernia.
Uguna who lives in Ilaje, Ondo State, is the last of four siblings. Our correspondent gathered that the boy started complaining of stomach pain three years ago and his family thought it was a mere stomach upset that would go away in no time. The boy’s mother is indigent while his father died some years ago.
His older brother, Adeshola, who engages in fishing to provide for the family, told Sunday PUNCH on the phone that the pain worsened some years ago.
He said, “Whenever the pain starts, Tobias would be visibly uncomfortable and cry all day. To find a solution to his predicament, we took him to pharmacies in our community where various drugs were prescribed and applied. In addition, we also visited herbal homes where drugs were purchased and administered. But instead of finding comfort, Tobias’ condition worsens – his stomach starts to protrude and the pain increases. I can’t imagine experiencing the pain I see my brother going through. There are days when sitting or even lying down is painful for him. He won’t be able to eat or even play like his mates.”
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He stated that the family had to take him to a hospital, adding that at a point, their uncle who was worried about his condition took him to his place in Ibadan, Oyo State and eventually to the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
A medical report sent to our correspondent by Adeshola and signed by a consultant at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, identified only as Odai, showed that Tobias was battling scrotal and abdominal swelling which would require hernia surgery.
Adeshola further said that last month, they took Tobias to the General Hospital Akure, Ondo State, when the pain was unbearable.
He stated, “We spent a lot of money and visited several hospitals to run tests on him to identify what exactly is wrong with him. We cannot afford the hospital bills and drugs for his treatment. Every day, his condition worsens and his stomach keeps protruding. My mother sells the little fish I catch and it’s the proceeds we use to feed ourselves since our father’s death. We need all the help we can get to save his life as we have nowhere else to turn to.”
Donations can be made to Tobias through account name: Patience Uguna Blessing, bank: Polaris and account number: 1014704169.
THE PUNCH
