A family from Karungu village, Nambale Sub County is living in agony and despair as they try to come to terms with swelling of their 15-year-old daughter’s leg who lies helplessly at Busia Referral Hospital.
Elizabeth Mareba, a class 8 pupil at Elwanikha primary school has been out of school for four months now trying to seek medication hospital after another but all in vain.
According to her mother Catherine Nasambo, Elizabeth was involved in an accident that resulted in the abnormal swelling forcing them to run to Bungoma Referral hospital with hope of getting a solution that never was and has never been.
“My daughter fell from the tree while fetching firewood. That is when hell broke loose. We have tried to seek medication in various health institutions including Busia and Bungoma Counties Referral Hospitals but to no avail,” said the mother.
Biopsy was done at Bungoma referral but the family is yet to receive any communication from them. This forced the family to seek alternative solutions at Busia Referral.
According to the ward nurse at Busia Referral, they are waiting for the lab report to determine the appropriate step on Elizabeth’s leg.
“The patient comes in on Saturday and she is on painkillers and antibiotics as we wait for the biopsy report. We have run x-rays and we hope it will reveal the cause,” said Josephine Shibonje nurse in charge of Ward4 at BCRH
Bernard Opondo Matine who now lives in abject poverty with his family are appealing to well-wishers to help his daughter undergo surgery to enable her continue with her studies.
“As a father, when I see my daughter Elizabeth on the hospital bed, I feel very helpless. I have tried everything as a parent, I sold three cows, I had to pay Sh70, 000 bill at Bungoma Referral Hospital but I didn’t work,” narrated Opondo.
The family is racing against time to raise funds to rescue her leg and education as she cannot walk. They are appealing to well-wishers to help them raise funds to help their daughter undergo better medication or surgery.
By Absalom Namwalo
