Unless there is divine intervention, 47 years old Rafiu Abdulkareem may not be around to watch his four little children grow. This is because cardiologists at the newly built Lagos State Cardiac and Renal Centre have concluded that Rafiu needs urgent kidney transplant to replace his diseased kidneys.

Painfully, Rafiu who hails from Kwara State cannot afford to pay the sum of N8, 268,000 demanded by the cardiac centre for the life-saving procedure. Rafiu was okay until March this year when he developed a strange cough middle of the night.

A medical report signed on behalf of the Medical Director, Renal Unit, by Dr. Bomi Omowo, said Rafiu was diagnosed of advanced Chronic Kidney Disease, CKD, secondary to undiagnosed hypertensive nephrosclerosis and being managed as a case of end stage renal disease. Rafiu is presently on thrice a week haemodialysis and has completed five sessions of salvage haemodialysis.

In another report signed by Dr. Ngozi Aikpokpo, the doctors recommended kidney transplant as the best option for him to ensure better quality of life.

According to Aikpokpo for a kidney transplant, he requires a donor which must be a first degree relative or his spouse including a total of N8, 268,000.00. The total cost of his complete care is as follows: Dialysis for the first three months, N9,000, 000, Erythropoietin N268, 800 for three months, Pre- transplant screening N600, 000, trans-plantation N5, 000, 000 and post - transplantation drugs for a year N1, 500,000 for a year.

Rafiu's wife, Sofiat, who is a teacher says they cannot afford the required amount.

Narrating her ordeal when she visited Vanguard Head office in Lagos, Sofiat tearfully recounted that they resorted to begging.

Sofiat said since March, her husband has known no peace as his swollen body and the consistent vomiting has continued to render him restless.

In the last six months, Rafiu has been undergoing treatment at the Gbagada General and the doctors are saying there is no solution apart from kidney transplant. Every week we spend over N100, 000 on dialysis alone. Each session costs N37, 500. This morning, there was no money.

"I ran from one room to another begging for help. Till this moment, as I am speaking to you, we have not completed the money and this is why I decided to come to Nigerians. His condition is deteriorating. We have sold all our assets, this is September, I'm not sure if my four children will even go back to school, Sofiat said.

The Gbagada General Hospital will be starting transplant before the end of the year and the cost is over N8 million.

Sofiat is pleading with well- meaning Nigerians to save his life. I am calling on Governor Akin Ambode of Lagos State to please come to my rescue.

If you are touched by Rafiu's plight please send your donations to Account number: 0691835541, Kareem Rafiu, Acces Bank or Diamond Bank account: 0005616843, Kareem Rafiu. You can also call 08137682623 or 07019260145.