4 year old Joseph Appiah is battling for his life after swallowing a battery as his stranded father, Kwadwo Aboagye hassles to get him proper medical care. Little Joseph has had his throat and some of his digestive parts corroded due to the corrosive substances in the battery making it difficult for him to eat.
According to Mr. Aboagye, during one of Joseph’s walking exploits when he was seven months old, he swallowed a battery cell that he found on the ground. He said after he realized deterioration in his son’s health, he rushed him to two hospitals where doctors were able to detect that the little boy had swallowed a harmful substance. “When I took him to the first hospital, the doctor gave him some pills because he said he was suffering from rashes. Joseph’s situation worsened so it was a hospital in a nearby town that a doctor was able to discover that he had swallowed a battery.” He told crimecheckghana.
The poor cocoa farmer said moving from one hospital to the other to save his son has cost him his life savings and now he is struggling to afford the cost of surgery for his son. He said though doctors have been able to remove the battery cell from Joseph’s throat, the harm has been caused already as the little boy is unable to eat because the corrosion has eaten into his digestive system. He said due to that, a rubber cord has being inserted through his navel into his stomach from where food is delivered into his bowels. “I have sold all my belongings including my cocoa farm which has been my sustenance in life all in a bid to save my son. He can’t eat through his mouth so it is only liquid food that he can take through the rubber cord. He goes through unbearable pains when the food is been passed to him. Joseph is really suffering, please help me save him.” He appealed.
Moved by little Joseph’s story, Crime Check Foundation, CCF through one of its group donors, IMS Alumni 1997 Batch gave Mr. Aboagye Three Thousand Ghana Cedis as deposit for Joseph’s surgery as it counts on generous individuals and organizations to extend their support to enable the poor farmer get the full payment of Ten Thousand Ghana Cedis to enable his son undergo the surgical operation.
Mr. Aboagye showed his appreciation to CCF and the IMS Alumni 1997 Batch for the support. “I thank you very much for this support and I pray that God will restore what you have gifted me. God bless you.” He said.
The Foundation’s Health Check Series is used to solicit support for poor individuals who cannot access healthcare because of poverty.
