Nearly two months after a tragic gas explosion in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, the father of a seven-year-old survivor has appealed for urgent assistance as medical expenses continue to rise.
The victim, identified as Happiness Ekere, reportedly sustained severe burns during the March 20 gas explosion at a filling station located in the Edibe-Edibe area of Calabar.
She has since remained hospitalized at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where doctors are battling to save her life.
Speaking with journalists, her father, Mr. Anietie Ekere, lamented what he described as neglect and abandonment following the incident.
According to him, neither the management nor owner of the filling station has contacted the family since the explosion occurred.
Ekere explained that the financial burden of treatment has become unbearable, noting that doctors regularly request medications and medical supplies that must be purchased outside the hospital.
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“Some days I spend close to N10,000 on medication alone,” he said emotionally. “That does not include feeding or transportation. I am doing everything possible to keep my daughter alive.”
He further disclosed that Happiness recently underwent surgery and may require another major operation estimated to cost more than N1 million.
The grieving father also revealed that the explosion claimed the life of his 15-year-old son, Solomon Ekere, who reportedly died from injuries sustained during the incident about a week later.
“My daughter is still struggling to stand or walk properly,” he added. “I don’t know where the money will come from anymore. I just pray she survives.”
A volunteer assisting the family disclosed that sympathisers have spent nearly N1 million on drugs, wound care, and medical tests since the incident happened. The source noted that some injections cost as much as N13,000, while regular wound dressing expenses could rise to N15,000.
The volunteer, however, acknowledged that the Cross River State Government had assisted with some aspects of the surgery and hospital procedures, although daily treatment costs are still being handled by volunteers and the victim’s family.
Mr. Ekere has now appealed to the Cross River State Government, humanitarian organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of his daughter.
“All I want is for my child to live,” he pleaded. “I cannot bear losing another child.”
Meanwhile, reports have alleged that relief materials recently distributed by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for victims of the gas explosion did not reach many of those directly affected by the incident.
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