When
baby Favour Adam-Umoh was born 21 months ago into the Family of Mr. and Mrs.
Blessing Adams, Favour appeared normal as a growing baby and there was nothing
unpleasant about her health, particularly her eyes to raise any suspicion that
something was remarkably wrong with her sight. But six months later, the signs
began to manifest.
The
state of her health then may have spured her parents to name her Favour – a
gift bestowed as a token of goodwill, kind regard, love by God.
But,
today, Favour is struck with a strange eye disease which medical doctors at the
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, confirmed to be congenital
glaucoma.
Presently,
Favour with bulging of the right eye which is now affecting the left eye,
further medical examination revealed that the baby has cancer of the eye.
According
to her doctors, if there is no urgent medical intervention, poor Favour will
lose her both eyes. The
parents have been going from pillar to post, looking for solution but all
efforts to help baby Favour have proved abortive.
All
the way from Onitsha, her mother, Blessing Adam came to Lagos recently in
search of a miracle that could help transform the condition of her baby
girl.
The
28-year-old mother was advised to seek further solution in a faith based
institution by a friend. So, she went to the TB Joshua’s Synagogue church of
all nations in Lagos.
According
to her, “I went to TB Joshua’s church on Wednesday and waited patiently for me
to be called upon but all expectations failed.
“Unfortunately,
it was not the time for cancer patients. So, I left and went back the following
day. Again, my baby’s name was not called. So, I felt bad and left because I
did not want my baby to die.
“I
was in a bus when a good Samaritan man saw the condition of the baby and
advised that I should go to Vanguard that I must surely get help.
“I
am a petty trader and my husband drives a hired Keke Marwa. We both live in
Onitsha but we are a native of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
“I
did not know anywhere in Lagos but with the help of the man, I was able to
locate Vanguard premises”, she added.
Narrating
the sorry tales of her baby’s health, she said, “Favour started
scratching her eyes when she was six months old.
“At
first, I never envisaged it was a serious issue. So, I did not take her to the
hospital immediately, but took her to nearby Chemist shop and the man advised
that, I should apply eye drops and give her some Vitamin C syrup which I did.
“Unfortunately,
there was no changes in her as the day goes by, so, I stopped the eye drops and
the drug. Then, I sought help elsewhere. I then started going from one
church to another just to get help.
“A
pastor told me that it was a spiritual problem and that it can only be tackled
with prayers. So, I started going from one church to another. And since the
incident, I had gone to seven different churches but all efforts were to no
avail.
“After
a while, my husband advised that I should take her to University of Calabar
Teaching Hospital and there I was told that her eyes were already damaged and
it will be removed.
“The
doctor said, an operation will be carried out on the girl but I do not know the
cost of the operation. I was scared because I did not want my baby’s eyes to be
removed, so I left.
“Although,
the doctor said removing the eyes will help save the life of the baby but I do
not agree that her eyes should be removed.
“Before
taking her to University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, I had gone to Guinness
hospital, Onitsha where I was given some drugs. But, there was no changes. I
was then given a letter to go to Nnewi for laboratory test.
“Unfortunately,
we are financially incapacitated so, I could not go for the laboratory test as
quickly as possible as prescribed. But, when we finally went, it was also
discovered that she is having cancer of the eye.
Since,
the incident, the baby has been passing through severe pain. She cannot sleep
at night. I only carry her on my back everyday and night. She cries so much
such that she hardly sleep at night. Her siblings, a boy and a girl are
presently at Onitsha”, she lamented.
Asked,
if there was any history of eye problem in her family, she said, “My
mother-in-law has eye problem. My husband told me it was witchcraft that caused
her eye problem.
When
Vanguard contacted Namdi Azikwe University Teaching hospital on
the issue, Professor Onyekwe who is in charge of the case, disclosed to
this reporter that an ‘Filteration surgeryof the eye’ will have to be carried
out urgently to stop the enlargement of the cancer.
He
stated that the surgery which will take place at Guiness Eye centre, Nnewi,
Anambra state will cost the sum of N100,000.
Right
now, the mother is calling on well meaning Nigerians to help baby Favour stay
alive. Her account name is: Ini Adam-Umoh, account number: 2044779539 UBA. Her
mother, Blessing Adam can be reached on 07083188829 and 07033996463.
Vanguard
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