I’m dying, I need N13m for liver cancer surgery — Danture, journalist (Throwback Interview)

A journalist with Channels TV, Vincent Bala Danture, 39, has been diagnosed with cancer of the liver and seeks urgent medical attention in an Indian hospital. Danture, who is from Kaltungo Local Government Area, Gombe State and a father of two children, tells CHIMA AZUBUIKE about his condition and how difficult it has been to raise the required funds

How long have you practised journalism?

I have been in journalism for more than a decade. I was with Gombe Media Cooperation before working for Channels Television. I was once the state secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Gombe State chapter.

What health challenges do you have?

The ailment started like malaria. I’ve had it since last August. I had an experience around August 2019 after we returned from a tour with Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who was in some local government areas for flood assessment. After the visit, I filed in my report. Then I tried to go home but discovered I could not walk. I had to visit the hospital the following day and was diagnosed with typhoid fever, malaria, and ulcer. I was relieved after treatment. Since that August till this very moment, I have been in and out of the hospital.

As days, weeks and months went by, I was told it was a chronic ulcer, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and now cancer of the liver.

How optimistic are you to get back on your feet?

As a Christian, I have not stopped praying. I also believe in God as the ultimate being. I’m trusting God to heal me because that is the ultimate. I have spent thousands of naira in the hospital to try to get better. Once I’m discharged from the hospital, after one or two days, I will start vomiting, with a large volume of blood in my vomit.

What steps have you taken so far?

Recently, I was sent to Jos for endoscopy and binding. After that, the situation became worse. I observed that my legs and abdomen were swollen. I was also at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. I was told that the only solution was to have a liver transplant and that it couldn’t be done anywhere in Nigeria. I have contacted hospitals in the US, Singapore and India.

What is required to get you back on your feet?

From my findings, an Indian hospital is the cheapest. I need $35,500, excluding accommodation, flight costs and so on. I was told I would be reevaluated. There is a possibility of an upward or downward review. I had requested for a report from Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe soliciting medical assistance from the Gombe State governor.

Why has it taken this long to get assistance?

Based on medical advice, it is imperative for me to get attended to now that I have strength. As you are aware, the operation is a major one that requires a blood transfusion. I have been making various attempts to get help. Some numbers I would easily call and get responses, right now, those numbers are far from reachable.

So what support base do you have towards raising the expected amount of money?

I must commend my colleagues at Channels TV; they are doing well, they have contributed some amount, which is encouraging. Same goes for my mates in secondary school – Government Science Secondary School, Lakanje, Kaltungo, but it is still below the expected amount. I want to state clearly that all I need is to get some money for the surgery; I will not mind returning whatever amount is left upon my return to the country after the operation.

cRobo:
not surprised

everybody must die one way or the other

chiemmanuel:
The governor should assist the family