Hospitalized journalist needs N3m for treatment abroad

 …Appeals to Govs Elechi, Chime, good spirited individuals
 From PETRUS OBI, Enugu
•Maurreen in hospital bed
Maureen Chima, a reporter with Dragon, a magazine published by the Nigeria Army, looked pale and pitiable as she lay in her hospital bed at the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army Hospital.
 Her leg was stretched with a hanging stone that would remain there for six weeks before she would possibly be discharged to seek further medical treatment abroad.

 Maureen, who has been writing on civil-military relations, has been under this agony at the OPD ward over a led disorder; an x-ray result indicates damage in her “fermo-cap” which is said to have affected her movement.
 Her medical report indicates that she requires a surgery which can only be carried out abroad. With an emotion-laden voice she narrated her ordeal and bitter experiences in the hospital, recounting how all efforts to get assistance from relatives, friends and colleagues had proved abortive, leaving her to her fate.
 But for the kind intervention of an Enugu Catholic priest, Monsignor Obiora Ike, she said she would have been in a more severe quagmire.

 Yet her troubles are not over as she would require a minimum of N3 million for better treatment in India, Canada or USA. Maureen who hails from Ebonyi State, therefore, called on Governors Martin Elechi and Sullivan Chime, as well as well-meaning Nigerians to come to her aid. She particularly pleaded with her home state governor, Chief Elechi, to come to her assistance.
 It is expected that N3 million would be enough to carry out the “Heap-joint replacement” surgery as the amount is said to vary depending on countries.

 However, because of her condition she will have to stay for about six weeks in the hospital before she can be fit to be flown abroad. She expressed appreciation to the hospital management for their care and hospitality, especially to the medical commandant, whose efforts she said have been of great hope to her. She appealed to the public, philanthropists and organizations to assist her since she has pioneered many humanitarian ventures, especially the civil-military relations’ pogramme which she believes when back in active service will receive a boost.