Veteran Journalist, Mkpuma Needs Financial Help for Kidney Transplant

A successful Nigerian journalist, Mr Ben Bright Mkpuma, has called on Nigerians for financial assistance in performing a kidney transplant.

Mkpuma who worked with so many local and international media organizations including one he set up himself – watchdog – has been bedridden for 3 years.

Mkpuma, who was diagnosed of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), is currently undergoing dialysis three times a week with a nephrologist. Which costs him N360, 000 monthly besides medication.

He has been bedridden for 3 years now since he started battling kidney failure.

A statement said his condition hasn’t gotten any better and the only hope of survival now is to get a kidney transplant.

 “The financial burden has been so much for his family because the dialysis costs at least N90, 000 a week and N360, 000 monthly, apart from medications that help control the blood pressure. According to the doctors, if he is not placed on dialysis, he will die. Of the 17,000 new cases of CKD that are diagnosed yearly, only 2000 can afford dialysis treatment in Nigeria.

“To perform a kidney transplant for Mr Mkpuma, his family needs to raise at least 8.5 million. But even before that, there will be medical tests for possible donors, and each test cost about N2 million.

“After a successful transplant, his doctors also said that there will be a Post-Transplant stage of recovery and reintegration. This includes drugs and injections for one year that will cost another N6 million. this is the only way he can be fit and live normal again,” the statement read.

‘’I am asking for help from all Nigerians. My family has done their best but it won’t be enough unless I get more financial support from others. I need their financial help for the transplant and to live well again even after the transplant. God will reward you as you help me,’’ he said on his sick bed.

Below is the bank account information for donation:

Account Number: 1003711887

Account Name: Ben Bright Mkpuma

Bank: Zenith Bank.