At only 11-years old, Temitope Balogun has been diagnosed with a kidney disease.
Consultants at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) said that both organs have been compromised and death is staring the little girl in the face unless she secured assistance for the crucial treatment urgently needed.
Her mother had taken the girl to the General Hospital, Isolo, Lagos, in September 2015 over a swelling that appeared in Temitope’s vaginal area. It was a hernia contour resulting from a perforated diaphragm, noticed when the girl was born in 2005; however, she was considered too young and feeble to undergo any surgical operation.
Last year, the hospital finally recommended an operation to correct the hernia. However, the series of pre-surgical examinations and tests unearthed a more dangerous condition.
Temitope had her two kidneys damaged.
Isolo General Hospital quickly referred her to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, in Ikeja, for wider consultations and treatment.
LASUTH detected that one of the kidneys had completely disintegrated, with the urethra blocked. Even the other kidney did not offer much hope.
“They said her second kidney is cracked and would also soon pack up,” her mum, Mrs. Kikelomo Balogun, explained. “The doctors said that to save her life, we must hurry up and do a kidney transplant.”
Estimates for a comprehensive treatment, including the kidney transplant, have been placed at N12 million.
The small girl spent about six weeks at the General Paediatrics Ward B of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja.
A letter dated January 5, 2017, and signed by the Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist, Dr. A.U. Solarin, reports that: “Her kidneys working is at 9% capacity, with estimated glomenilar filteration rate of 8.6mls/1.72m2/min.
“Although she has a relatively good urine output, she will be requiring a renal transplant in the near future and pre-emptive transplant is advisable.”
No way can the family afford the N12 million needed to save the life of their sick daughter. Temitope lost her father in 2015, while aged 10 years.
Her mum sells fruit juice, wines and beverages in front of her late husband’s bungalow at 32, Liasu Road, in Egbe area of Alimosho Local Government in Lagos.
“I am pleading with kind-hearted Nigerians to please come to our assistance and help save my little girl,” Mrs. Balogun said, breaking down in tears.
Neighbors confirmed that the woman had lost much weight due to anxiety over the fate of her daughter. Temitope is the last and only female of Mrs. Balogun’s three children.
Donations may be forwarded through her mum’s account: FOLAKE KIKELOMO BALOGUN/UNION BANK/0039844540.
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