“I have been bedridden for 5 years now, they carry me as a child and I can’t do anything on my own,” Sylvester Maada painfully narrated his ordeal to KNA.
The 26-year-old man from Amukura in Teso South of Busia County is appealing for support from the public and well-wishers to enable him undergo a surgical operation on his spinal cord in India.
Maada has a rare bone marrow ailment, which started as back pain way back in 2013 shortly after his Form-four course, and the condition has since affected his joints and spinal cord thereby incapacitating him.
“What started as a mild ache in my legs in 2013 has grown into an excruciating pain that has completely paralyzed my body,” narrated Maada.
The last-born in a family of five has exhausted all the family investments including land, livestock and other valuables while seeking treatment, all to no avail.
Having visited various health facilities in Kenya and Uganda, Maada is desperately appealing to well-wishers to sponsor him to travel to India for specialized treatment.
“I’m in great need and will appreciate all efforts geared towards my healing,” said Maada, adding that he is tired of begging for his basic needs.
He started his treatment at Alupe Sub-County Hospital where he was referred to Tororo Hospital in Uganda.
After the condition persisted, he was referred to St. Lukes Hospital and Medheal Hospital, where he was advised to seek further treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
It was at MTRH that he was advised to go to Kenyatta National Hospital where he has spent 4 years trying to correct his condition.
“My Family is languishing in abject poverty as they have sold everything in an effort to treat me,” he added.
Sylvester’s friends and neighbor led by Mark Omuse noted, “We cannot afford the treatment. The doctors say that the condition of Sylvester can be corrected. I appeal to the public for donations for the treatment of our son.”
He is required to visit KNRH on a daily basis for physiotherapy and pay Sh300. He also has a weekly clinic costing Sh1300.
According to the doctors at KNRH, the overall expense of the treatment in India is estimated at around Sh4 million.”
Donations can be sent to Pay Bill 8047937 or well-wishers can visit KNA office Busia County for connection to the family of Sylvester.
By Absalom Namwalo and Joshua Opili
