Father of 7-year-old gas explosion survivor cries out over rising medical bills

By Ike Uchechukwu

CALABAR — The father of seven-year-old Happiness Ekere, who survived the March 20 gas explosion at Fonex Filling Station in Edibe-Edibe, Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, has appealed for urgent assistance over mounting medical bills.

Happiness, who sustained severe burns in the explosion, is still receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, nearly two months after the incident.

Her father, Mr. Anietie Ekere, a daily-paid labourer, said the family had been left to cope alone, alleging that the owner of the filling station had neither visited nor offered support since the tragedy occurred.

“I have not seen anybody from the filling station since that day. Nobody has come to ask about my daughter or how we are surviving,” he said.

Ekere explained that doctors frequently prescribe drugs and wound-care materials that are not available in the hospital, forcing him to purchase them from private pharmacies.

“Even now, they still ask us to go outside and buy drugs. Sometimes I spend about N10,000 in one day, and I am not talking about transport. I am just managing to survive,” he lamented.

According to him, Happiness recently underwent surgery, while doctors have informed the family that another major procedure could cost over N1 million.

The distraught father said the burden has become more painful following the death of his 15-year-old son, Solomon Ekere, who reportedly died from injuries sustained in the same explosion about a week after the incident.

“My daughter is still struggling to stand and walk. I don’t know where the money will come from,” he said.

A member of Brotherhood, a support group assisting the family, disclosed that volunteers and sympathisers had spent nearly N1 million on drugs, medical tests and consumables since the explosion.

The source, who spoke anonymously, said some essential medications and injections costing as much as N13,000, as well as wound dressing materials valued at nearly N15,000, are sourced outside the hospital.

While acknowledging support from the Cross River State Government for surgery and some medical procedures, the source noted that daily treatment expenses still rest heavily on the family and volunteers.

Ekere appealed to the state government, well-meaning Nigerians and relevant authorities to come to the aid of the family.

“All I want is for my daughter to survive. I cannot lose another child,” he pleaded.

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