A South Sudanese family in Juba is calling on well-wishers to help save the life of their son who is suffering from kidney failure in Cairo, Egypt.
Dominic Deng Madut is a second-year medical student at the University of Juba but had to suspend his studies because of the illness. In search of better health care and treatment, the family took Deng to Khartoum and eventually to Cairo in June where he is undergoing dialysis twice a week.
Deng’s mother Achai Arop told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that the financial burden on the family has become overwhelming, especially that the doctors say he needs a kidney transplant, which the family cannot afford.
Radio Tamazuj got hold of Deng in Cairo on Thursday. He had just come from a dialysis session but was enthusiastic to share his story. He says he has been ailing since he finished his secondary education but no doctor had the right diagnosis for his condition.
Last year in May, Deng said his family was able to raise some money and sent him to Khartoum to seek further treatment. After visiting the hospital, Deng was diagnosed with renal failure and asked to start dialysis immediately. Both his kidneys are affected.
“That’s how it started and since that time I have been on dialysis up to now. Twice or three times a week depending on my situation,” he added.
“I just came to Egypt on the 15th of June when Khartoum was not bearable because of the political instability and economic crisis. Sometimes the medicine may be unavailable; sometime the dialysis may be interrupted because of the strikes taking place,” said Deng.
Deng, who now lives with his unemployed nephew in Cairo, said each dialysis session costs about 50 USD. However, he is now worried about his health with doctors prescribing a transplant to save his life.
“The doctor said since I spent one year and a half on dialysis, my kidneys have reduced in size and they cannot be normal again unless I do a transplant. According to the estimation, because to find a kidney is sometimes feared and illegal, but according to those who did transplant before the confirmation we have had from them is equivalent to 50,000 USD,” he said.
Deng, a young aspiring doctor is calling on well-wishers to support his family and friends raise the amount needed to save his life.
He can be reached on the phone on +201150945524 and his mother Achai Arop on +211922282199.
