Save Nasasira drive raises 3m at launch

A total sum of 3million was on Tuesday collected from a fundraising drive aiming at saving the life of a 16 year old kidney patient. The drive which was launched by an early morning walk spearheaded by a group dubbed "Team Save Nasasira" saw participants collect funds from Kabale central market, shop keepers within town and other businessmen.

The money raised shall facilitate the treatment of Melkizedek Nasasira a 16 year old boy suffering from an acute Kidney failure. Nasasira needs about 80 million for a Kidney transplant. He was diagonosed with a Kidney failure and advised by Dr Marion Namutebi a senior physician at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to seek extra medical attention.

He however lashed at members of parliament who act selfishly by asking for a lot of money to buy themselves cars and tax holidays at the expense of tax payer's money instead of supporting health related causes.

"Our hospitals are lacking enough medicine and equipment when these legislators are busy demanding for their own selfish interests," said Batanyenda. According to the patient's sister, Proscovia Natukunda, the health conditions of her brother continue to worsen and thus an urgent intervention is needed.

NASASIRA'S STORY

According to Proscovia Natukunda, the patient's sister, Nasasira was diagonised with the problem in December last year. "His body started swelling and he was taken to Kabale regional referral hospital for examination where doctors failed to find out the problem. He was then taken to Rugarama hospital where he was diagnosed with kidney infection," says Natukunda.

Nasasira was referred to Mulago hospital for further treatment. After 7 months, he returned to Kabale due to failure to afford costs of treatment in Kampala. He was taken back to Kabale regional referral hospital upon the return of the signs. The family has now failed to raise the necessary money to conduct the initial tests for a Kidney patient to have a recommendation for an operation in India.

 The-Save-Nasasira-drive-organisers-receiving-some-of-the-collections-of-the-day-(-Photo-by-JOB-NAMANYA)

Nasasira is the third born of the four children that the late Deudanta and Bendeka Turyashemererwa left behind before their death. He has also lost appetite and desires to spend more time outside the ward sun bathing.

Nasasira who had completed S.2 at Duces High School in Kitumba Sub-county, Kabale district had a strong passion for football and he also wanted to become a lawyer after his studies.

According to Dr. Hillary Ahisibwe, a medical officer at Kabale regional referral hospital, Nasasira needs not less than Shs.5m to have the initial tests before a Kidney transplant is recommended for him in India.