Until December 2014, Gloria Mbonu was a vibrant and optimistic young lady, having just graduated from Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi where she studied biology.
However, her hope of participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was dashed by a sudden abdominal pain, which amplified gradually, and disabled her from every meaningful activity.
N115,000 weekly cost of dialysis
She said when she discovered the sharp pain, she visited a pharmacist, who prescribed powerful pains killer and also advised her to visit a specialist hospital or general hospital for professional treatment.
When the pain did not subside after two weeks, she visited the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). There, her worst fears were confirmed.
Gloria was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (kidney failure) at LASUTH and has since commenced a thrice-weekly haemodialysis at a private dialysis unit.
“But the treatment costs so much that my widowed mother cannot afford it.
“Dialysis per session costs N28,000 amounting to N84,000 plus N6,000 taxi fare totaling N18,000 and drugs N15,000. All amounting to N115,000 weekly,” Gloria mumbled in pains.
She runs the dialysis thrice a week from her residence in Ijegun in the Ikotun area of Lagos.
She said its mainly friends, church members, and some non governmental organisations (NGOs) that have been raising money for her.
N11.5m for treatment in India
Dr Ngozi Aikpokpo, a nephrologist at Cardiac and Renal Centre, Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, estimates that Gloria requires at least N11.5 million to undergo a kidney transplant in India, the definitive treatment for her kidney failure.
This amount will cover flight tickets for three, hotel, feeding, and treatment costs.
A donor is available but she cannot afford the money.
Bank details
Gloria has appealed to Nigerians to come to her aid so she will not die young.
Her mother also pleaded with the public to save her daughter’s life. She urged anyone with any amount to contribute, no matter how little, to send it to:
Bank name: First Bank
Account name: Mbonu Tochi Gloria
Account number: 309 897 7816
