Encomium
The controversy trailing the donation of N38 million to treat the stage 4 ovarian cancer of 28 year-old Mayowa Shukurat Ahmed in the United States of America would have been avoided if the family had done a number of things, long before soliciting for funds. And the problem with the police over whether the initiative was a scam would be unnecessary.
No one would feel cheated, conned, scammed or deceived. And the agony of being distrusted would be avoided by the frail patient and her traumatized family.
To protect themselves from fraud allegations, they should have :
1. Explained the ailment and how she contracted it. There should have been a family spokesperson interacting with the public. There should have been a doctor explaining why she cannot be treated in Nigeria. Her doctor should have educated us with details of the disease and why she’s been referred abroad. What specialist treatment and surgery are available …
2. Established contacts with the hospital abroad with explanation of treatment and fees. There should have been communication with the hospital abroad, with detailed explanation of the nature of treatment, the duration and the fees, including admission and feeding expenses. And all these information should be documented.
3. Thereafter, the family would present a budget of the treatment, including visa fees, flight and accommodation for her and the person accompanying her throughout the duration of her treatment. The total budget would then determine how much donation is needed.
Transparency should be apparent in the dealing.
-Agbolade Owolabi for Encomium.ng
