BY SOLA OGUNDIPE
Akpan Ini Udofia is a man with many problems. The 55-year-old former staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is currently languishing in Ward E5 of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos.

Medical records indicate that Udofia,  who was admitted about a fortnight ago as a referral patient, obtained a diagnosis of HIV infection compounded by tuberculosis.

Ever since his condition had remained a source of concern to the healthcare proverders at the health instituion.

What makes Udofia’s case more precarious is the fact that nobody has showed up to take responsibility for him. Apart from a youth who calls to see him once in a while, the ailing patient is more or less on his own.

Already, the hospital management has  classified him an abandoned patient.

In a statement, the Coordinator, Corporate Services of LUTH, Mrs Hope Nwawolo said a week after Udofia was admitted at the Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital, none of his relatives had showed up to follow up on his treatment. In an appeal to his family members, she urged them to call at the health institution or direct enquiries to the Corporate Services Division, 2nd Floor, A&E building, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos or call 018777845.

In a chat from his hospital bed, Udofia who appeared restless and anxious confimed he was a retired staff of the NPA. “I was actually laid after 24 years and 11 months of service to the company, but I’m yet to get my entitlements.

Upon retirement as a Grade Level 9 officer in the position of Library Officer I, the father of three who hails from Ikono LGA in Akwa Ibom State, currently resides at Olodi Apapa. He said it was soon after he was laid off that he began to fall in and out of illness.

“Initially I thought it was malaria. I would fall sick today and get well the next day, then fall ill again days later. It was only when I developed some complications and was referred to this hospital (LUTH) that I discovered I’m HIV positive,” he noted.

Since his diagnosis,Udofia has been at a crossroads. “I don’t know how I came to be having HIV. Although

I never went for HIV test before, I always thought it was malaria that was disturbing me because malaria has been my regular companion. I didnt expect it would be so bad as this.”

But he was quite regretful that his  close family members had deserted him. “Only my sister’s young son, Ubong has been coming.  My family knows I’m here, but they do not come. My sister  came just once,  It is unfortunate  the way I have been  treated by my family. If things were reversed., I would never do to them what they are doing to me now.

“I need assistance from kind hearted Nigerians. Anything is welcome. I need everything that will keep me alive, to buy my drugs and get back on my feet. This hospital has been looking after me well. The staff are very professional.I don’t want to become a liability to the hospital. I’m yet to begin to collect my pension. I was just given some to manage with until it is ready.”