RAVAGED BY HEART DISEASE, THIS EIGHT-YEAR-OLD NEEDS URGENT HELP
Robinson
Master Ogbobe Robinson Nnamdi, an eight-year old boy with a heart disease, wears a smile that conceals the inner anguish of his soul. Since his affliction started last year, he has put up an appreciable resistance against his health challenges.
Born in February 2002 to Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Ogbobe in Ugbene Ajima, Uzo-Uwani LGA, Enugu State, Robinson's troubles started in April 2009 when he experienced severe joint pains that kept him in bed for weeks. Since then, Robinson has become a regular guest in various hospitals, including the University Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, where physicians are presently battling to save his life.
Robinson's present woes have not dampened his faith of becoming the future governor of Enugu State, however. When Daily Sun visited him on his sick bed, he muttered audibly that he wanted to be the governor when he grows up. His parents further explained that the ailing lad had so often spoken passionately of becoming the No 1 citizen of the state.
According to the parents, he has become so infatuated with this ambition that their neighbours call him governor. However, this lofty ambition would be halted unless the sum of N3million is raised for an immediate heart surgery abroad.
Chief Public Relations Officer of the UNTH, C.C Keleze confirmed the boy's status, describing him as a patient of the Paediatric Cardiology Unit of the hospital diagnosed of rheumatic heart disease and requiring a heart operation overseas.
Speaking to Daily Sun, father of the ailing child, Mr Christopher Ogbobe, a civil servant with the Federal Ministry of Information, Enugu recounted his son's affliction.
'It all began in April 2009 when he complained of pains in the joints. We went for medical treatment but there was no improvement. We were referred to Zenith Hospital and one week later, his situation degenerated to serious fever, fast breathing and rapid heart beats. We then moved him to Unity Hospital where he was treated and the fever subsided, but the breathing and heart-beat were still very fast,' he said.
Mr. Ogbobe said when the symptoms persisted, they went to the UNTH where specialist doctors diagnosed him of rheumatic heart disease and admitted him on May 28, 2009.
'But we became worried when the hospital informed us that the facilities for the surgery were unavailable. So, the doctors can only control the effect for some time, pending an arrangement for heart surgery abroad', he explained.
Mr. Ogbobe, a father of six children, said over N387,000 has been spent in various hospitals, a situation that has put enormous financial strains on his family.
'Since it started, we have been spending the little we have in order to save his life. We have borrowed from people as well. Things have become so difficult that feeding has become a luxury for us. Where will we raise the N3million required for this operation,' he wondered.
His wife, Ngozi, who was grief-stricken during the encounter, could not withhold her tears as she spoke with Daily Sun. The 30-year old cheerless mother implored the help of the public to save her son's life.
Her words: 'I am appealing to the Ministry of Information and Communications where my husband has been working for years to come to our rescue. I am pleading with the general public to help raise this money to enable us rush him overseas for the surgery. I don't want to lose Robinson who is also my first son.'
Father of the sick boy informed Daily Sun that an account has been opened for the boy at the Access Bank Plc, Enugu with the name Ogbobe Christopher Obochi. The account number is 0181510037714, Soft Code: 044250188.
He also stated that the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity, Ugbene, Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Rev. Fr. George Abba can also be contacted on 08035611003 for more information just as the Ogbobe's family can be reached on 08036237186.