By Frank Ulom
It’s been over two months since the Calabar gas explosion that left over 60 people injured at Edibe Edibe. Many have forgotten about it but 7-year-old Happiness Ekere is battling to survive with mounting medical bills fighting her poor father.
Surely, Happiness will survive, the doctors have assured that, all she needs is money, and her father, Mr Anietie Ekere, has already emptied his poor savings, after losing one of his children to the same incident.
The 7-year-old, who sustained severe burns during the explosion, is currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
Mr Ekere, a daily labourer, said the family has been abandoned to its fate, alleging that the owner of the filling station, Fonex Filling Station, has not visited or supported them since the tragedy occurred.
“I have not seen anybody from the filling station since that day,” Ekere said in an emotional interview. “Nobody has come to ask about my daughter or how we are surviving.”
He said keeping his daughter alive has become a daily struggle as doctors continue to prescribe drugs and wound-care materials that must be purchased outside the hospital.
“Even now, they still ask us to go outside and buy drugs,” he said. “Sometimes I spend about N10,000 in one day, and I am not talking about transport. I am just managing to survive.”
According to him, Happiness recently underwent surgery, but doctors informed the family that another medical procedure may cost over N1 million.
The distraught father said the financial burden has become unbearable, especially after the family also lost his 15-year-old son, Solomon Ekere, who died from injuries sustained in the same explosion about a week after the incident.
“My daughter is still struggling to stand and walk,” he said quietly. “I don’t know where the money will come from.”
A member of Brotherhood, a support group assisting the family, confirmed that volunteers and sympathisers have spent close to N1 million on drugs, tests and medical consumables since the incident.
The source, who asked not to be named, said many essential medications were unavailable at the hospital pharmacy, forcing caregivers to buy them from outside chemists.
“One injection alone costs about N13,000,” the source said. “To dress the child’s wounds can cost almost N15,000. The father is traumatised and afraid because he has already lost one child.”
The source, however, acknowledged that the government had assisted with aspects of the surgery and some hospital procedures, but noted that most daily treatment expenses were still being handled by volunteers and the family.
Meanwhile, Ekere appealed to the Cross River State Government, public-spirited individuals and relevant authorities to urgently intervene and save his daughter’s life.
“All I want is for my daughter to survive,” he pleaded. “I cannot lose another child.”
Lending their voices, Cross Riverians have pleaded with the wife of the Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, to put the child to her chest and touch her with motherly love.
“We’ve seen Her Excellency do this before. I believe if the news gets to her, she’ll take over the girl’s case. She’s been a blessing to children, women and the vulnerable since taking over office and I know she won’t let this poor girl die,” Faith Esua said.
Another via social media said, “Her Excellency, our own beloved mother, please touch this child with your anointing. I believe you can do it. You’ve done it before, here in Ikom, even in Ugep and Calabar. Please take over the girl’s case and save her life,” Blessing Akonjom said.
Here is Happiness’ father’s phone number in case you’d like to help. Nothing is too small: 07017314541.
God bless you as you give.
