A 70-year-old veteran journalist, Sam Arikpo, who underwent replacement of his right hip at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), has remained stranded in the hospital for weeks now due to inability to pay the balance of his medical bills.
Arikpo, who spoke on the hospital bed when our reporter visited him, said he ought to have been discharged but for pending bills, saying he believed God would touch public spirited individuals, friends and colleagues to help him so he could return to recuperate at home.
“I could only afford money for the right hip. I will have to come back for the left hip operation when God helps me with funds,” he said.
Arikpo said a few friends assisted him financially, and, therefore, prayed God to bless those who were available to him in his darkest hour of need.
And, while thanking God for the successful operation, the former staff of the Nigerian Broadcasting Cooperation and television said, “I had a formidable team of surgeons, led by the Chief Medical Director, Prof Ikpeme Ikpeme himself and Prof Anthony Udosen who did a wonderful job on me.
“The medical personnel here are rendering a much improved services. The facilities are fantastic, the lighting, all the equipment working perfectly and the taps flowing as well unlike what we used to hear.”
Asked whether his club, Lions Club, played any role in assisting him rise to his feet once again, Arikpo, who is currently a member of the publicity committee of the Lions Club District 404A2, said: “I am yet to hear from them. I hope and believe they will not let me down at this hour.”
