The family of a Junior Secondary School two pupil, Ayibanemi Ogbudukian, who was diagnosed with acute leukemia, has sought the help of Nigerians for her treatment.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the 11-year-old’s condition started with a swollen neck in December 2021, before she was diagnosed with the ailment, a cancer of the white blood cells.
Her mother, Timipre Ogbudukian, who spoke to our correspondent, said the family thought that the swelling was minor and was managing it at home until the child had to be taken to a hospital.
She said, “She was admitted to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and we were able to complete two circles of chemotherapy out of the five recommended. We spent about three months in the hospital and by mid-May 2022, we were discharged to go home to continue the third chemotherapy but due to financial constraints, we could not.”
The girl’s father, March Ogbudukian, a civil servant, appealed to the public to save his daughter, adding that her condition had continued to deteriorate.
He said, “My family can’t even feed. I do not want to lose my daughter.”
Our correspondent saw a report by the Paediatric Haemato-Oncology Department of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, signed by the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, S.U. Okogbo.
The report read in part, “Ayibanemi Ogbudukian was presented to our unit on March 1, 2022, with complaints of swelling, fever, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, paleness of the body and abdominal pain.
“On presentation, she had hyperleukocytosis, massive hepatosplenomegaly and significant lymph node enlargement.”
An invoice by the Fortis Memorial Research Institute, India, said her case was being handled by one Dr Vikas Dua.
Her family estimated the cost of her treatment at N36m.
Interested Nigerians may donate to the family’s bank account, 9612977019 First City Monument Bank, March Anna Ayibanimi.
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