Having seen the suffering of many families where healthcare is hard to come by because of cost, over the years and even after I retired as a physician, I have been involved in sponsoring screening outreaches and treatment of the less privileged in Nigeria. Mostly, we have used private funds.
This 16-year-old boy was discovered to have sickle cell disease only after his hip joints had started getting destroyed from lack of blood supply (ischemic necrosis of the femoral joints). For a good part of the last year, he became unable to walk, so school was put on hold. I got him to see an orthopedic surgeon who has recommended bilateral hip replacement surgery as soon as possible. The cost is beyond his parents, who are only artisans. I am hoping to raise enough funds for the surgery and his rehabilitation. Thank you for joining us.
Tentative costs
Left hip 2 procedures ~$10,000
Right hip 1 procedure ~$5000