An 18-year-old junior high school student, Kekeli Darkeh, is appealing for financial assistance to continue his medical care after suffering severe complications from sickle cell anaemia, which left him paralysed and unable to sit for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Kekeli’s father, Mr William Darkeh, recounted the family’s ordeal, which began on February 21, 2025, when Kekeli suffered a life-threatening crisis and was rushed to Manna Mission Hospital. After five days on oxygen support, he was referred to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) due to a lung infection.
Get more exclusive breaking news updates on our WhatsApp channel .
While receiving treatment at UGMC, Kekeli experienced cardiac arrest but was successfully resuscitated. He spent 45 days in the hospital, 16 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 29 days in the neurological ward before being diagnosed with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, a brain injury that has left him paralysed and struggling to speak.
Mr Darkeh said his son was discharged on April 16, 2025, with a total medical bill exceeding GHS 134,000. Through help from friends and family, GHS 101,400 was paid, leaving an outstanding balance of GHS 32,875.29. UGMC later waived half of the remaining amount, easing part of the burden.
However, the family continues to struggle with home care expenses, including payments for nurses, physiotherapy, medication, and feeding. “The current nurses who attend to him daily for two weeks are paid GHS 800 every fortnight, and now medication, feeding, and electricity have added further substantial costs,” Mr Darkeh lamented.
He noted that the family’s financial strain has also disrupted Kekeli’s physiotherapy sessions, which are essential to his recovery. Additionally, outstanding medical debts have made it difficult to reactivate his hospital card, complicating his follow-up reviews.
Mr Darkeh appealed to the government, NGOs, philanthropists, and the general public to come to their aid by helping them clear the remaining hospital bills and support Kekeli’s ongoing rehabilitation and medical care.
He said the family’s situation highlights the heavy emotional and financial burden families face in managing sickle cell anaemia, stressing the urgent need for community support and compassionate healthcare intervention.
“We are only praying for help so that Kekeli can continue his treatment and have a chance at recovery,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion.
