Igbo lady donated blood to Hausa Fulani young man in Dala National Orthopaedic Hospital Kano
By
Musa Abdullahi Sufi
Mr Garba with his chopped right leg on hospital bed
Mr Garba Hamza was admitted into accident and emergency (A/E) unit of National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala (NHOD) in Kano with his right leg pouring foul smeling discharge on Tuesday 15th June , 2010 . Some days after he was hospitalised the brother of Mrs Ngozi Casmaer was admitted on Thursday 17th June, 2010 as a result of accident that induce her to come to Kano for the first time in her life.
Garba was an Achaba (going/express) driver who hails from Bagwai Local Government Area, Tuntube community of Kano State while Mrs Ngozi originates from Imo State at Orlu community Isu Local Government Area Nigeria respectively.
He had an accident couple of months ago with his right leg fractured and wounded alone on his motorbike. Unfortunately the leg was fixed wrongly couple with the poor management that leads the affected leg deteriorating. Mr Garba was lastly brought to the Dala hospital for proper management and the need for three pints of blood arose.
Despite all efforts by his family, they struggle to mobilised only two pints of blood while the third pint seems unattainable. In fact, they already started giving up. Moreover, at this point God brought Mrs Ngozi. It is this time she noticed something is happening in that family that needs attention. She learnt from the expression shows by the family member saying "how can we raise N2,000 naira again for the third pint. we have no money anymore, this is difficult". Noticed by the Mrs Ngozi, in addition she understand the patient is with them.
She (Ngozi) quickly run to one of the nurse on duty Matron Obioha Ngozi to have conversation with her about the issue and asked if it is possible for her to donate blood to the needy dying gentleman. The nurse informed her about what it takes to donate blood that include the screening among others. Mrs Ngozi did not waste anytime in moving to laboratory for HIV, HB and other test.
The tests confirmed her blood group matched and she is free from all tested ailments that might prevent her from not donating the blood. During the development some people almost discourage her from donating. At the final stage her blood was taken and donated to Mr Garba that enable his operation and his survival possible. She paid about N2000 naira for other logistics before the blood was taken and she travelled back next morning.
According to Matron Ngozi " even though, we (Nurses) do use our money to support patients but I am really challenged by the way she confronted me and instantly want to donate blood to someone she never know or see before! Hmmm, almighty God is everywhere". The nurse emphasized.
When called Mrs Ngozi over the phone through her sister Chioma Christiana Izunwa on what makes her feels to donate blood to Garba she said " firstly, I donated the blood because I did not want the Man to die. Even right now I am thinking how is he doing?" She said sounding very caring. Correspondingly, She added that " Secondly I did it for God as he informed us given is better than receiving".
In an interview with Laraba Garba's sister, she narrated while shedding tears that " it was a great and breaking news for me when I heard someone with no relationship at all is helping my brother with what we cannot afford now-A pint of blood". She added whilst wiping out tears.
For Mr Garba (the patient) a former Achaba driver it is undeniably a historic event in his lifetime. He uttered while lying down on hospital bed " my thoughts were my life is ending but I keep praying for God help and he answered my prayers". He added that, "I thank God and her (Ngozi) richly, I am very grateful Allah helps me through her. This is a great lessons for Nigerian tribes, Muslim and Christians that we are for each other". Finally, he call upon everyone to do same so as to save more lives.
Mr Garba right leg was chopped off to the knee as the removed part completely deteriorated. Matron Ngozi called upon for people to stop patronising tradional fracture healers. She said " what will cost N 2000 to fixed in 2 hours in the hospital it end up deteriorating and chopped up becouse of the actions of these local healers". She beg " please people should come to the hospital immediately problem arises".
National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala is the largest of its kind in Northern Nigeria. With the influx of about 1,000 newly accident victims from across Nigeria and west Africa monthly. despite challenges of manpower, inadequete modern equipments, upto date professional doctors among others it still served greater number of the influx victims by the dedicated nurses, doctors among others.
Musa Abdullahi Sufi
A Staff of Jhpiego Nigeria
Kano Field Office
Wrote from his Hospital Bed at NOHD, Kano
07064873753
1 comment:
very touching! Thank you for sharing! (And a speedy recovery to you too!!)
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