13- year- old Ngozi seeks N1.2 million for osteomyelitis surgery
NGOZI Eke, whose inability to walk has deprived her of attending school for about seven months, is looking for N1.2million for corrective surgery.
The 13- year- old girl is affected by osteomyelitis, which is hitting deep into her right leg and has exposed her fibula bone.
Ngozi, like other children, on December 26, 2021, stepped out to celebrate the year’s Christmas before she fell and sustained an injury on her leg.
“I told my parents about it and they bought medicine for me and applied balm. Between that night and the next morning, I could not walk as the leg became swollen.
“Many doctors have treated this leg, but I still can’t walk. I want to go back to school and focus on my studies. I want to be a lawyer,” she said.
Her father, Ekeh Chukwu, said her condition has been treated at the Specialist Hospital and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, but the last seven months has been so traumatising for her.
According to Ngozi’s medical report, signed by Chief Medical Director of Peoples Hospital Limited, Bauchi, Dr. Emmanuel Onyeneke who is also the consultant handling the case said she has been managed on account of mal- unified non- healed fracture involving the proximal third of the fibula and also clinic osteomyelitis, involving half of the fibula with irregular over soft tissues.
“The patient will benefit from open reduction and internal fixation ( ORIF) and also flap cover for the soft tissue. Cost of management for the patient ( both surgery and medication will cost her N1.250.000.00,” he said.
Onyeneke, who spoke with The Guardian on Wednesday, said Ngozi would also undergo plastic surgery, saying her treatment has been slowed down because of a financial shortfall from her parents.
“We are able to focus on antibiotics to stop the progress of her wound. We are only waiting for money to proceed to surgery.
Ngozi can be reached through her father Ekeh Chukwu via; 08120833131 and can be supported through FCMB account number: 4926386010 and name Ekeh Chukwu.