For the past year, life for 43-year-old Abdool Rafiq Khan has been a lot less than easy. Khan is suffering from Chronic Renal Failure, secondary to uncontrolled hypertension, and is in urgent need of a kidney transplant.
Recently, the man, along with his wife, Parbattie Gerry, visited Kaieteur News as part of a bid to solicit funds to help pay for his dialysis .The man’s wife said they were told by doctors that Khan was suffering from “high blood pressure”, which was causing him to  feel unwell.
However, when the couple revisited doctors, in May last, they were confronted by a much more serious problem than “high blood pressure.” The woman said that the doctors told her that her husband’s condition worsened, and tests revealed that both of his kidneys were failing.
The couple was told that Khan needed to begin immediately on dialysis treatment, which she added has placed a major financial burden on the family. She said that the treatment costs the family $108,000 weekly. They both noted that they are willing to continue the treatment, but their finances are running out, since he was sole breadwinner for the family. The woman explained that she cannot work, because she has a two-year-old daughter to look at.
She further told this newspaper that the family, with the exception of her husband, is presently living at the Muslim Youth Organization on Woolford Avenue.
She said that her husband has been experiencing respiratory problems, so he is presently hospitalized. The condition has also caused him problems with respect to easing his bowels.
The couple is appealing to the general public for any monetary assistance which can be afforded.
The woman said that her husband is receiving $14,000 from the National Insurance Scheme. This helps, but is negligible with respect to the gravity of her husband’s condition.

Thursday, November 20, 2008