News

Agony as family resorts to bury banana plant after failing to raise hospital bill for their deceased son

Listen to this article

Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

A family in Ruaka, Kiambu County now plans to bury a banana tree instead of their deceased son whose body has been detained at the hospital over Sh 18million bill.

Brian Kimani Njoroge died in February at Getrude’s Children’s Hospital of leukemia related ilness, aged 13. The family was unable to offset the bill that has since accumulated to Sh18 million.

The parents, Stephen Njoroge and Maryann Wanjiku say they have tried all avenues to raise the money.

In sorrows and having considered all avenues, the family desperately resorted to burying a banana plant.

According to the mother Wanjiku, Brian sickness began with constant headaches that were resistant to antibiotics. The parents took him to Kijabe Hospital where he was diagnosed with Leukemia.

Brian’s parents Stephen Njoroge and Maryann Wanjiku

Brian was later referred to Kenyatta National Hospital to receive treatment for Leukemia, but his condition worsened. The parents later their son to Getrude Hospital for a specialized treatment to their child.

Fundraising

According to Mr. Njoroge, the bills kept on escalating and his business could not raise enough. With a sick son and raising two younger children, the burden became overwhelming and they turned to well wishers for help.

Brian’s fundraising poster

In August 2018, the Njoroges took their soon to India for a bone marrow transplant, in hopes that the journey to his healing was coming to a successful end.

“We raised money through fundraising and took Brian to India for a bone marrow transplant,” Said Njoroge.

Without enough money, the India hospital retained the family passports. The Kenyan embassy in India, intervened and the family was able to move back, however, with still an untreated son.

In a subsequent visit to India, Brian responded positively to treatment after another bone marrow transplant.

A screenshot of Brian’s song video

In 2019 after recovering, Brian produced a song ‘Yesu Master Wangu’ as a thanksgiving for his healing.

The family was, however, to overcome another setback. Brian was reacting badly to the prescribed drugs and he was admitted to Gertrude Hospital over liver failure. At Getrude’s he succumbed

Despite having spent around Sh10 million for a successful treatment in India, the two-month ICU admission at Getrude’s hospital costed Sh17.4million. The family was unable to raise the money and Brian’s body was detained.

According to the hospital, the body cannot be released since the bill accrued from Brian’s treatment.

For these and more credible stories, join our revamped
Telegram and WhatsApp channels.

Ad

Secure your LPO financing.
sponsored by Stanbic Bank
Secure your LPO financing.

Latest News

More on News