Man needs help with medicine to stay alive

ABU DHABI // Abu Ali had a liver transplant in 2015 and thought his health problems were over.

“I gathered all the money I had saved throughout the year and with the help of a few friends I was finally able to pay for the surgery,” said Abu Ali, 51.

But he did not expect that the post- operation medication would cost Dh6,000 a month.

“I have to take medication for the rest of my life so that my body does not reject the liver,” he said.

Last year, a government hospital that had supplied him the medicine said it was no longer working with his insurance company and would not be able to provide the medicine unless he paid the full amount.

Abu Ali, an Egyptian, earns Dh7,000 a month and supports three children, one of whom is a university student. “I make almost enough to pay for my children’s education and support my wife,” he said. “I can’t afford the medication and am worried that my body will reject the liver.”

Hisham Al Zahrani, manager of zakat and social services at Dar Al Ber Society, urged the public to aid Abu Ali.

“Without the medication, his life will be at risk,” he said.

“His children, who are still studying, will lose him. We are asking the community to please join us in providing Abu Ali the medication he needs to survive.”

‘ I have to take medication for the rest of my life so that my body does not reject the liver Abu Ali transplant patient