Baby Elisha Ajiboye needs N4m for heart surgery

“THERE are two to wash, two to dry; there are two who argue, two who cry; there are two to kiss, two to hug; and best of all, there’s two to love,” popular American and professional National Football League player and holder of the most touchdowns by a tight end, Jerry Smith, said about twins.

But for baby Taiwo Elisha Ajiboye, that hope of enjoying the love and care for two and the companionship that life as a twin offers might be fading, unless well-meaning Nigerians come to the aid of his parents, Mr and Mrs Elijah Ajiboye.

Taiwo Ajiboye, born on 13 February, 2017, at the Oni & Sons Hospital, Ibadan, was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease known as cor-triatriatum in April 2017 and was referred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan. At the UCH, the Ajiboye family got a verdict, one that has not only thrown them into panic mode but has also tested their resolve to keep one of their twins alive. Baby Taiwo’s heart condition, according to the hospital, would need an expensive surgery to be undertaken outside the country, with India being the less-expensive option.

Ever since the diagnosis and the recommendation for a surgery were made, the father of the twin, Mr Elijah Ajiboye, a Bachelor of Science degree holder in Education (Computer Science), who has since been forced to take up a job as teacher in a private secondary in Ibadan, and his wife, who also teaches in a private school, have not been at peace, as they have been running from pillar to post to raise funds for the operation.

According to him, having sought help from family members and churches, and coming absolutely short of any meaningful financial mark out of about N4 million needed to cover the travelling expenses and cost of operation in India, the family has come to its wit, send thus the effort to appeal to well-meaning Nigerians to come to aid.

“Immediately the UCH told us that my child’s heart condition would need a surgery, which can be undertaken outside the country and the doctor in charge, whose name I will not mention in this report because she said it was not official to do so, told us about the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, India, where they can carry out the operation, I made contact with the hospital. The hospital, through its Senior Consultant and Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, Dr Muthu Jothi, in a letter dated 25 July, 2017, told us that the surgery would cost between 6,000 and 7,000 US Dollars and that the amount is outside the cost of travelling and cost of staying in India for a week or two after the surgery.

“I am pleading with well-meaning Nigerians to please come to our aid. We do not want to lose our baby. This is the fourth month since the diagnosis has been made and the baby has been going through difficulty; government and other Nigerians should please assist us in whatever way they can so that we can save Taiwo,” the father said.

Taiwo’s mother, Mrs Oluwakemi Ajiboye could not compose herself enough to speak on her child’s ordeal and what the family has been going through, but she kept praying that God will raise help for everyone who rises to assist her to save her baby. According to her, nothing is too small to give in the course of helping Taiwo.

As the Ajiboyes spoke with Sunday Tribune with twin children present, the reality of Taiwo’s condition appeared more vivid, as the two babies united by birth were separated by life, as Kehinde bounced and smiled in a babyish way, his brother cried all through, reflecting the pain that he must be going through. If you will like to render assistance to baby Taiwo Ajiboye, the father’s account details are as follows Ajiboye Elijah Bamidele, 3044543214, First Bank while he can also be contacted on 07033968914.