Lira based radio presenter Omony asks Speaker to intervene

Lira, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Gideon Omony, a veteran radio presenter in Lira is in urgent need of sh120 million for a kidney transplant.

In December last year, Omony, the Deputy Head Teacher at Fatima Aloi Comprehensive Secondary School and a presenter at Radio Wa 89.9fm in Lira City was first diagnosed with high blood pressure, which quickly progressed to acute kidney disease requiring urgent transplant.

Married with three children, Gideon is currently being dialyzed twice a week as the family looks for the needed funds for his transplant. He believes that the Speaker of Parliament can save his life, especially after witnessing her generous donations to other people. “I’m 44 years of age, I feel I still have a lot of energy to work for this country as well as take care of my family.” He said.

Although he does not experience any physical pain, the condition has psychologically drained him so much that he does not feel the urge to move out of his home to socialize with friends.

Omony advises people to prioritize regular medical check-ups to avoid falling victim to such conditions.

His wife Jane Acola Omony describes his diagnosis as a big shock to the family.

“Breaking the news to the family was also not easy and after that people got angry, people started asking questions so the reception of the news was very emotional for the family and then I was in the middle because I needed to answer all these questions even though I didn’t have the answer. But right now I think as a family we have accepted,” she said. Acola explained that her husband’s condition has affected her family’s and work routine.

Although the media fraternity in Lango has joined forces to solicit the funds, Elvis Levis Ajwika, the station manager of Voice of Lango (VOL) FM who is chairing the Central Organizing Committee for the “Give Gideon a Chance to Live” fundraising drive says not much has been realized.

Despite being expensive, a Kidney transplant when done successfully can give the patient a long healthy life. Eddy George Ococ, a kidney transplant recipient has lived a normal life for 19 years after his transplant. Ococ says the most important thing to do after a transplant is to adhere to the lifelong medication one has to take. Just like Gideon, he wants the general public to take medical checkups seriously.

Fr. Dr. Sam Okori, the Medical Director of St John XXIII Hospital Aber explains that Kidney problems, especially acute kidney disease, are becoming a big burden at his hospital and in the country, emphasizing the need to treat kidney injuries before they progress.

Kidneys are essential organs in the body because they perform several key functions including filtering blood, balancing water and minerals in the body, and manufacturing renin, vitamin D, and other lesser-known but essential functions for the health of our bodies.

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URN