A 27-year-old shopkeeper, Omolabake Bello, who was diagnosed with kidney failure, sought help from Nigerians to raise N15m for a transplant.

PUNCH Subway deduced that Bello’s ailment began with hypertension in 2018 before he was later diagnosed with kidney failure in December 2021.

It was said that she was diagnosed at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, and required two to three dialysis per week.

The shopkeeper, who spoke to our correspondent last Tuesday, said managing the ailment had not been easy for her and her family.

Bello said: “It started in 2018 when I wanted to give birth to my first child. The doctors detected that I had high blood pressure, so I had to deliver the baby by caesarean section; They also gave me medication for high blood pressure.

“Last December I started having severe pain in my stomach and went to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with kidney failure. Since then, I have been on dialysis, but the permanent solution is a kidney transplant.

“I can not do anything; even walking has become very difficult; my stomach and legs are swollen.

“Nigerians should come to my aid. I was supposed to go for my dialysis today (Tuesday) but I couldn’t because the money is not available; I hope to go for it tomorrow.”

Her husband, Ogunronbi Akinola, stated that the family had reached their wits’ end in handling her treatment.

He said: “I have borrowed a lot just to pay the bills. I have even borrowed from the company where I work; I currently owe my boss around N1m. We have been getting by with borrowed money from friends and contributions from family members.”

The treating physician, who asked to be identified only as Dr. Augustine, confirmed his condition.

He said: “She has end-stage renal disease, which means she is dependent on dialysis. Ideally, dialysis should be done three times a week, but she manages to do it twice or once a week.

“Your kidneys cannot remove impurities on their own; they are doing almost nothing; she needs dialysis but the best alternative is a kidney transplant”.

Our correspondent obtained a medical report from University College Hospital, Ibadan, signed by the consulting physician, Dr. SO Ajayi, confirming the situation.

Another report signed by UCH Chief Medical Director TC Alebiosu revealed that Bello would undergo surgery at the hospital, which would cost N15m.

Interested members of the public may donate to the patient’s bank account number: 0124733724 Guaranty Trust Bank (Savings), Bello Ajarat Omolabake.