The timely intervention of Vodafone’s Healthline initiative has restored the dreams of Ernest Abugri, a resident of Bawku in the Upper East region, who dropped out of senior high school six years ago, due to an illness known as Posterior Fossa Tumour.
The medical condition, which is a form of brain tumour, suddenly affected Ernest’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture, during his final year in school. As a result, he gave up on his dream of becoming an engineer and making a difference in his community.
Recounting his experience, Ernest said:
I had to quit school and I have been home since. I was transferred to Korle-Bu for the surgery but the amount required was too high and we had no hope of raising that money. Until Vodafone intervened, I had given up and told myself that it is my destiny to leave this earth at a young age, because help will not come from anywhere. Vodafone coming to our aid has reassured me that I can achieve my dream. I am very grateful.
Explaining the condition after the surgery, Dr Patrick Bankah, Neurosurgeon at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital said:
Ernest had a growth at the back of the brain and the location affected his movement that is why he is wobbly when he moves. It also affected the eyes causing a squint and he became weak in the lower extremities of his body. The tumour was pressing on the brainstem, which is a very delicate part of the brain. He will now go through rehabilitation and therapy following this successful surgery to learn how to walk again.
Like other beneficiaries, Vodafone Ghana paid for the full cost of surgery and post-surgery rehabilitation in Healthline Season 8, Episode 9. The telco has over the period demonstrated its commitment to improving the health of Ghanaians by offering free surgeries as well as providing accessible healthcare information to the public through its multiple award winning TV show.
Season 8 of Vodafone Healthline airs on UTV on Mondays at 9 pm; TV3 on Sundays at 3 pm; Adom TV on Saturdays at 8:30 pm; TV Africa on Saturday at 7:30 pm, and on Family TV on Sundays at 8 pm.