By Emmanuel Olabiwonninu
The family of Mrs. Juliana Ijeoma Olajolo, a 44-year-old woman living with sickle cell disease, has appealed to the public for urgent assistance as she battles end-stage chronic kidney disease, a condition that has left both of her kidneys completely failed.
Mrs. Olajolo, who is married and a mother, was first diagnosed with kidney failure in 2019 after she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where blood tests revealed severe complications.
Doctors later confirmed her condition as Sickle Cell Nephropathy, a life-threatening kidney complication associated with sickle cell disease.
Medical records indicate that she is currently in the chronic, last stage of kidney disease, requiring continuous dialysis to survive.
She is presently receiving treatment at Rencare Dialysis Centre, Ikolaba, and Redeemers Hospital in Ibadan, where she undergoes dialysis twice weekly, with emergency sessions increasing to three times a week.
Each dialysis session costs N50,000, amounting to about N100,000 weekly, while blood transfusions cost an additional N40,000. Medications alone consume roughly N50,000 weekly, bringing her total weekly medical expenses to about N200,000.
The family disclosed that they have spent approximately N15 million on her treatment so far, a financial burden they say has become unbearable.
Doctors have consistently advised that a kidney transplant is the only long-term solution, estimating the cost at N40 million, an amount far beyond the family’s means.
Before her condition deteriorated, Mrs. Olajolo was described as a hardworking and lively woman who ran a small business, selling goods from a shop and online.
However, her health challenges which is compounded by sickle cell disease made regular employment difficult.
Today, her condition has worsened to the point where she can barely walk without assistance, suffers from leg complications, impaired vision requiring glasses, and multiple health issues linked to prolonged kidney failure.
Further complicating her situation, Mrs. Olajolo developed Hepatitis C, reportedly as a result of repeated blood transfusions. She has been on medication for the condition since last year, with drugs costing about N200,000 monthly.
Her husband, Mr Odewale Olajolo who is an Uber driver doesn’t also have the means to foot her medical bills.
Her family told this reporter that the illness has drained them emotionally and financially, forcing them to exhaust their savings and straining relationships due to repeated pleas for help.
According to her sister Mrs Uwaoma who contacted journalists for help they have done everything within our power, but the situation is beyond them.
“Doctors have warned that she needs an urgent transplant to have a chance at survival,” she said.
With time running out, the family is now calling on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations, religious bodies, and philanthropists to come to their aid.