Family seek funds for life-saving treatment
Mary Akoth (L) and her daughter Margaret Achieng at their home in Northern ward, Nagongera Town Council, Tororo District. Photo by Joseph Omollo.
What you need to know:
Achieng was recently admitted to Cure Children’s Hospital of Uganda in Mbale where she underwent an excisional biopsy operation.
The family of three-year-old Margaret Achieng, residents of Sesera Bendo cell in Northern ward Nagongera Town Council in Tororo District, are in tears after they seem to have failed to raise resources to pay for chemotherapy to treat their daughter who has succumbed to Lymphoma, a lymph node cancer, common among children.
Achieng was recently admitted to Cure Children’s Hospital of Uganda in Mbale where she underwent an excisional biopsy operation.
A biopsy is a medical test commonly performed by a surgeon, interventional radiologist, or a cardiologist involving sampling of cells or tissues for examination. It is the medical removal of tissue to determine the presence or extent of a disease.
Following the biopsy, Achieng has been referred to Mulago hospital for chemotherapy but her family is financially. incapacitated,
Achieng’s mother, Mary Akoth, told this newspaper that Achieng, her second born child was normal at birth but succumbed to the rare sickness when she was four months old. Since then, mother and child have been to various medical facilities but the child’s situation is worsening as they have failed to raise resources to finance her referral to Mulago hospital for chemotherapy.
“My daughters sickness has made us more poorer because we no longer engage in any other productive activity that would earn us income since she cries day and night. It is on this ground that appeal to any well wisher to lend a hand to support us, ’’ Akoth painfully narrates.
To date, Akoth has been getting treatment support from Alex Othieno, Achieng’s grandfather. However, although he would wish to save the life of his granddaughter, Othieno says he has also run bankrupt.
This newspaper has also learnt that the Achieng’s father, Owora Onyango abandoned his family and fled to an unknown destination.
The Medical superintendent of Tororo Hospital, Dr Tom Ochar, said this type of cancer operation can easily be perfomed within Uganda although it requires technical expertise.
He added that the operation can also be done in India and would cost over Shs20 million for the young girl to regain her health.
He said in Uganda the operation cost could amount to Shs10 million.
To help the family, you can make a cash contribution to account number 9520018093 in the names of Akongo Joan Olowo in Centenary Bank, Tororo branch. For further details, please call 0772671961.
