Skip tong many ethnic groups, the birth of twins is seen as a special blessing from God. . That was the exciting mood that pervaded the household of Dickson Ogbeide when his wife, Chinyere, gave birth to Michelle and Michael on November 18, 2018.

But about one week into the joyous birth, the family’s happiness gradually began to dissolve into anxiety and then sorrow when Michelle’s eyeballs went yellow.

The parents took her to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, where she was diagnosed with liver-related ailment.

Ogbeide said that two surgeries were carried out on the child but were unsuccessful, as Michelle’s health continues to deteriorate.

With a bloated stomach dotted with marks of surgeries, every passing day brings pains for little Michelle whose stunted growth and boring life contrast sharply with her twin brother’s gaiety.

“In November 2019, she had crisis. She was bleeding from the mouth and ear,” Michelle’s father, Dickson, said.

“The doctor told us she has to go for liver transplant which will cost about $38,000 (about N14m) in India.”

He added,

“We have been seeking financial assistance from people. We wrote to the office of the First Lady of the Lagos State Governor. They invited us in late November and we went there with Michelle. They saw her and promised to get back to us.”

A facility management engineer, Dickson’s income is being expended on buying drugs to reduce Michelle’s pains and keep her in the battle for life pending when help would come her way.

“She has been on drugs for months. One of the drugs we use for her is about N1,000 per dose and she uses it every day. We have spent a lot of money. When she was taken for a checkup yesterday (Friday), it was discovered that she has lost weight. Her mum cannot work again; she has to be with her always,” he said.

A medical report from LUTH dated November 18, 2019 and signed by a consultant pediatrician, Dr O. F. Adeniyi, stated that abdominal scan run on Michelle revealed that hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) and non-visualisation of gall bladder.

The report read in part,

“A diagnosis of infantile cholestasis secondary to Biliary atresia was made. Patient was subsequently referred to the paediatric surgeons for kasai portoenterostotormy which was done at four months of age. However, four days post- kasai portoenterostotormy, she developed progressive abdominal distension. Abdominal radiograph done showed features of pneumoperitoneum. This necessitated a re-exploration. ”

“Intraoperative findings were in keeping with anastromotic dehiscence which was immediately repaired. However, kasai portoenterostotormy done was not successful evidenced by increasing intensity of jaundice, persistent passage of pale coloured stool and episodes of bleeding from the mouth and anemia. Patient was subsequently counselled on the need for liver transplant.”

The report concluded that the patient needed to undergo the transplant “as soon as possible.”

A copy of an estimate of the cost of the liver transplant from Yashoda Hospital, India, put the bill at $38,000.

A bank account, Michelle Olachi Ogbeide: 0538642546, GTB, has been opened for the child. The family can also be contacted on 08052353870.

The Punch