The family, of the 12 year old Awine Akolgo from the Beo-Kansigo community in the Bongo District of the Upper East is appealing to the public especially, doctors and hospitals to help their daughter by way of medical care.
She has been suffering from a strange disease for the past 8 years without seeking any proper medical attention because her parents can not afford it. According to her mother, Teni, the only means of getting healing is through prayers, and has since been taking her to prayer centers.
“It started with her hands so I thought it was just a problem with blood full in the hand so we applied some ontimemt on it but, later the stomach began to swallow so we started sending her to churches for prayers and started using anointing oil on her.”- the mother narrated.
She confessed that anytime her daughter was sent to a health facility, the only response she gets from health personal is that her daughter’s illness has been with her for a long while thus raising it cost of medications.
This Awuni’s mother says has made her give up on the hospital and rely on prayer and herbs. In explaining how the said strange sickness usually strikes she said that during a relapse she screams so loud, and her hands and legs are stretched and stiff adding that the surface of her skin seems peal, with wrinkles, and seems swollen and tender.
The little girl could hardly speak but what was obvious is that she is seeking for proper cure. Little Awine narrated that anytime it happens it trips her on the floor and she feels severe body pain, so she needs someone to treat her.
“My legs and hands usually pain so badly and feel woozy” – the girl explained.
However, Teni contends the level of hardship the the family is going through and how her daughter’s failing health is heightening the situation.
Awine’s father is also handicapped as he can neither speak nor walk leaving the burden of taking care of the family on the shoulders of her unemployed mother. She does some peasant farming work with Awine’s elder siblings even this is only available during the rainy season.
“My husband is also sick he can not walk and can not hear leaving all the burden on me. So I am appealing to the public to help me with prayers and support to seek medical attention for my daughter.”- the mother lamented.
The disease is having a toll on the little girl’s education as she often absents herself from school because of her health situation.
Awuni’s class teacher, Ernestina Azambila at the Beo-Kansigo Primary School explained that Awini’s health condition has affected her ability to write or contribute in class, and to top it all she has not been punctual due to her health conditions. She added that even though her colleagues are primarily six now she is still in class three.
The family is thus appealing to the public and benevolent individuals to help them to seek medical care for their suffering daughter.
Wisdom Adekurah