A 20-year-old Maasai Mara University student battling cancer for more than a year is appealing for Sh6.5 million to fund treatment in India.
David Ogari, a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education, Mathematics and Physics, is currently receiving treatment at Maxcure Hospital in Kisumu.
His family says doctors have recommended a bone marrow transplant in India, which they estimate will cost about Sh6.5million.
David’s father, Fredrick Ogari, said the family had spent more than Sh2 million on his treatment.
The medical bill at MaxCure Hospital now stands at Sh500,000, which the family is struggling to pay.
“We have walked with him to various hospitals for a long time. We have tried our best as parents to give him treatment, but we are currently drained financially,” Mr Ogari said.
He said David had previously received treatment at hospitals in Nairobi and at Fairmont Oncology Hospital in Kisumu before being admitted to Maxcure facility.
The family said David had undergone dialysis and spent time in an intensive care unit as his condition deteriorated.
His mother, Linet Kwamboka, appealed to the government, relatives, friends and neighbours to help raise the money needed for his treatment.
“It is not easy for us because the money we had has been spent on medication. I kindly ask the government, friends and neighbours to support us at this difficult moment and help take our child abroad for treatment,” she said.
Family representative Dr Erick Magero said raising the required amount would be difficult for the family, which relies on informal work.
“Getting Sh6.5million for a parent who is not employed is not easy,” Dr Magero said.
He appealed to the government and well-wishers to help the family meet the cost of the recommended treatment.
Dr Magero also called for increased investment in cancer treatment facilities and medical equipment in Kenya.
“We have been told by the government that they are investing in the health sector, but one of the key things we need to look at is medical equipment and facilities for cancer treatment,” he said.
The illness has disrupted David’s studies, with his family hoping he can return to university after receiving treatment.
“It hurts us when we see that this boy is no longer at school. He is a young man of 20 years taking Education at Maasai Mara University,” Dr Magero said.
Maasai Mara University students’ president Victor Mitema, who visited David in hospital, urged the government and well-wishers to support his treatment.
“Our colleague David has been going through a lot of pain for the past one year. He needs urgent treatment,” Mr Mitema said.
He also appealed to university students across Kenya to contribute towards the cost of the bone marrow transplant.
Mr Ogari said David was one of his two children and that the family had exhausted its financial resources while seeking treatment.
The family is now appealing for contributions from the government, organisations and members of the public to help raise the money required for his treatment.
The PayBill number for those wishing to support David is 4818097. Please use your name as the account reference. Those wishing to contact his father can reach him on 0724 821 739.
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