Omosede Global Foundation took a total of five children for free heart surgery at the National Hospital in Abuja. Four children left with us from Edo State on Sunday, May 26, 2019, Clinton, Ifesinachi, Benedict, Destiny. Emmanuel who lives in Oyo State left a day ahead of us for Abuja on May 25, 2019.
Planning started in February 2019, broadcasts and screening of children started in March 2019, the final list for the children was sent to the National Hospital on April 30, 2019 and preparations for travel started in the first week of May 2019.
The team left Benin City on Big Joe transport company and was blessed with a great driver who took into consideration the health of our children. We arrived Abuja and were taken to the Supreme Hotel Ltd. The owner gave us a 50% discount for our hotel rooms and also made a donation of #50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) to the foundation to support the mission. Each family had a room to themselves.
On the morning of Monday, May 27, 2019 the families were fed breakfast and transported to the National Hospital for screening. All the children were registered with the hospital and screened. These were the findings.
Grandma Destiny was her guardian for the trip because mum is nursing a new born. Destiny is healing naturally, the hole in her heart is closing as she grows and there is no need for surgery. Destiny returned home with grandma on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.
Clinton and Ifesinachi were referred for a CT Angiography (coronary) on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 for further and more detailed investigation of the heart.
Clinton’s father was present throughout his care and Ifesinachi’s mother was present throughout her care.
The Children had to have a kidney analysis done to determine if they were able to tolerate the process. Both came back good and were taken for their CT Angiography.
The results were picked up on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 showed that both Clinton and Ifesinachi were not operable and not eligible for heart surgery.
Clinton’s dad had done everything to get help for his son sooner. He had sold everything he had including his work tools to raise the money for his son’s surgery. Still not enough he tried to get help by writing letters to elected officials and government for assistance, but none responded. The CT Angiography shows that over time the heart had become enlarged with other complications which makes it impossible to have surgery now.
Having further discussions with Ifesinachi’s mother, Omosede Global Foundation found that since it was discovered that Ifesinachi had heart problems at 4 months, her parents never took her back to the hospital for treatment. Ifesinachi had never been on any medication to date and she was now eleven years old. Her parents said they resulted to prayers as advised until their pastor took his son for surgery for a growth in his neck. Only then did they start looking for help for their child. She was sent our way by the hospital.
On Thursday, May 30, 2019 Benedict was admitted into the National Hospital, Abuja. Both parents were present with the child. All blood tests, x-rays and preparation where done. On Friday, May 31, 2019, number one for surgery the surgeon came down to see Benedict to do one last check before surgery. Initial check showed that he had some scattered sounds prone to children with heart problems. She requested the X-ray and found Benedict had an infection, which needed to be treated prior to surgery. Benedict is rescheduled for surgery and on the priority list for September 2019 and will be among the first 3 children operated on. Benedict was placed on Antibiotics and discharged at about 8 pm. He returned to the hotel.
Emmanuel was also admitted into the National Hospital on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Both parents were present. On Friday, May 31, 2019, number two on the list, the surgeon moved to prepare Emmanuel for surgery. Further review of his blood test should he had an additional problem which required special kitting by the team of surgeons. This was erroneously omitted from his referral. Emmanuel is rescheduled for heart surgery and on the priority list for September 2019. Emmanuel was discharged in the evening at about 8 pm and returned to the hotel.
No surgeries were done at the National hospital from Friday to Sunday when the surgeons returned back home.
The Omosede Global Foundation had dinner with the team to review our experience. We stayed back on Saturday to rest, it had been a tedious week for all of us and returned back to Benin with the families on Sunday, June 2, 2019.
Omosede Global Foundation paid for all expenses with money donated to the Foundation. Transportation, accommodation, feeding and all hospital expenses not covered by the surgery itself. The parents were also given stipends.
We will have 3 new children with heart problems to join us on our trip back to Abuja for heart surgery in September 2019. Screening will begin the first week of July 2019.
The Omosede Global Foundation team included Omololu Ojehomon and Mr. Kingsley Ohens who assisted her throughout the process and prior.
Our appreciation goes out to our family, friends and many others we do not know, all who wish to remain anonymous, who believed in us and donated to make this possible. May God continue to bless and replenish you infinitely.
We are totally grateful to The Mercy Igbe-Arase (née Ifidon) Foundation who helped us house our donations and disbursed on a timely manner.
To the Supreme Hotel Ltd. Who took care of us and showed us hospitality.
To 70s Grill Caterers who provided us with breakfast for our trip to Abuja.
To Big Joe transports that made sure all our requirements to transport our children with heart problems were met and for providing us with a great driver who made sure we got to our destination safely.
To Bros Monday our taxi driver in Abuja who stuck with us and made himself available at all times and on more than one occasion in the middle of the night when I had to return back to the hospital. He wanted to see it all through to the end.
To God is Good Motors upon seeing our flyer we left the previous day when Omosede Global Foundation went to book seats for the team, gave us the rest of the bus for free. The manager said, “For Enhancing lives, May God bless you, it’s the least we can do.”
To all those who supported us with words of kindness and encouragement, we thank you.
Especially to the surgeons who come to Nigeria twice a year to donate their time and skills for free and the Spem Quia Filii Foundation for making it happen.
May God never forget any of you in your time of need.
