Posted by By MUYIWA OYINLOLA on
On Wednesday, March 30, 2005, fourteen children afflicted of various heart diseases departed Murtala Mohammed International airport, Lagos for open-heart surgery in India.
On Wednesday, March 30, 2005, fourteen children afflicted of various heart diseases departed Murtala Mohammed International airport, Lagos for open-heart surgery in India.
The lucky few represented only a fraction of the 185 patients that have benefited so far from "Mend-a-heart" project instituted by the Nigerian football star, Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.
Speaking to journalists before they were airlifted by Kenya Airways, the patients' Welfare Manager, Mr Uche Udunze of Kanu Heart Foundation, disclosed that the kids would stay in their host country for between two to six months, depending on the severity of their respective cases.
He disclosed further that the surgical operation would cost the organisation about $15,000, adding that the mode of selection of the patients was done without either prejudice or preferential treatment of any sorts. "It was done on first come; first served basis," he said.
Furthermore, Udunze said that the other 185 beneficiary cut across West African countries, including Ghana, Zimbabwe, Togo and Congo. He noted that since the establishment of the foundation six years ago, patients have been taken for treatment in United Kingdom, Israel, India and a number of other countries.
The parents who were filled with excitement expressed their appreciation to the foundation, even as they urged other rich Nigerians to follow suit.
Recalling her ordeal, a mother stated: "I gave birth to the child and discovered that she has heart problem. I have been praying to God to protect her, and today, God has answered our prayer. We are also praying for a successful operation so that everything would work well to the glory of God."