A 45-year-old carpenter, Hayford Abradu, has made an emotional appeal for public support as he battles a deteriorating eye condition that doctors warn could lead to blindness and possibly a stroke if left untreated.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Abradu recounted a painful medical journey that began three to four years ago when he started experiencing severe eye problems. Initially diagnosed with glaucoma, he had to visit the hospital every two weeks, spending about GH¢300 per visit.
“Every two weeks, I had to go to the hospital, costing 300 cedis,” he said, noting that the expenses quickly became overwhelming.
The father of four explained that his family responsibilities made it difficult to keep up with treatment. One of his children, despite completing senior high school with good results, has been unable to continue their education due to financial constraints.
“I couldn’t keep spending money because I have children to take care of,” he said.
A friend later recommended a specialist, reportedly at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. After securing a referral, he met the doctor at Spintex for further examination.
“He said there is no pressure and nothing wrong with my eye, and I am supposed to see clearly,” Mr. Abradu recounted.
The specialist inquired about frequent headaches, which he confirmed, noting that the pain sometimes forces him to skip work. He was advised to get a scan, which revealed that the issue was not with the eye itself but an underlying condition affecting the veins, impairing his vision.
“He told me if care is not taken, I will completely lose my sight and then suffer a stroke,” he revealed.
Given the urgency, he was referred to the Accra Medical Centre for treatment rather than Korle Bu, where he was presented with an estimated bill of nearly GH¢1.2 million for a three-day surgery.
Five months on, Mr. Abradu says his appeals for support have yielded no assistance.
“That is why I decided to come to Adom FM for support,” he explained.
The condition has taken an emotional toll on the family. With two children in basic school—one in Class Five for nine years and another in Class Three for seven years—and another preparing for the BECE, the family is under immense strain. Mr. Abradu spends about GH¢350 weekly on school expenses while struggling to pay rent and provide daily necessities.
He also purchases medication every three days at a cost of GH¢100 to manage his symptoms.
In a moment of anguish, he said, “If it was a straight death, I would have preferred it to going through this struggle and being down with a stroke.”
He added that his wife has been bearing the brunt of the crisis, caring for him and the children amid mounting financial pressure.
Now facing the possibility of permanent blindness, Mr. Abradu is pleading with the public for assistance to undergo the life-saving surgery.
Support can be directed through Adom Praiz on 0593038769 as he appeals to Ghanaians to come to his aid.
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