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KIAMBU: The family of a four-year-old cancer patient who was last week deported from India after money for her treatment ran out has appealed for help from well-wishers.
Princess Josephine Nyambura's parents now say their daughter's life is in danger if she does not undergo urgent treatment as required.
The child, who is suffering from leukemia, was flown to India in October for urgent chemotherapy, which was to be followed by a bone marrow transplant at Artemis Hospital in New Delhi.
She was referred to India by doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital where she was admitted for one year until September last year.
"The girl is suffering from cancer that affects the blood system and requires urgent treatment, which is not available locally," said Peter Mwamba in his referral letter.
Caroline Mukiri, the girl's mother, said the hospital in India recommended her deportation after they failed to raise all the money required for the treatment.
She said that when they went to India in October, they had about Sh3 million. The money was exhausted by chemotherapy, which were done for two months and a bill they incurred after their daughter was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for two weeks with acute pneumonia.
CLEAR BILL
"The doctor who was treating my daughter came one morning and told me the hospital management had told him not to treat my child until I cleared my bill in full," Ms Mukiri said.
Dr Vikas Dura, the leukemia specialist who was treating the child, indicated she would require $35,000 (Sh3.5 million) for six month's chemotherapy and an additional $45,000 (Sh4.5 million) for a bone marrow transplant.
Julius Macharia, the girl's father, said the family is overwhelmed and has now run out of options after selling all their property and holding about five fundraisers.
"We have sold all the property that we had which included a plot, a hotel in Githurai and many house items. We also took a loan from two of my friends to take my daughter to India," said Mr Macharia.
Margaret Keige, director at Cancer Awareness Centre of Kenya, which focuses on early cancer detection and screening said if not quickly treated, the disease would claim the life of the child.
"Her case is that of relapsed high-risk leukemia, which requires urgent attention if her life is to be saved," said Ms Keige. You can help save Nyambura's life via M-Pesa paybill number 563596 or Equity Bank, Githurai Branch, account number 0710164375127.
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