A wheelchair bound supporter of the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has appealed for support to enable him receive medical treatment.
Aider Hijazie, 53, who is afflicted with multiple diagnosed illnesses, according to his testimony, says he has been living with some of his medical conditions for over two decades.
The Sierra Leonean of Lebanese descent tells ManoReporters that he had stroke and has been living with paralysis since after the 20i8 elections, when his condition worsened. He says he now suffers from blood pressure, diabetes and liver disease.
Hijazie, who was born in Dama Road in Kenema, says he has been a staunch SLPP supporter for the last 30 years, during which period he participated as a grassroots mobilizer. He wants the party to come to his aid at his time of dire need, if not for any reason but for his role in helping to bring the party to power.
Hijazie specifically appeals to the First Family – President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio to help save his life.
“I am appealing to First Lady Madam Fatma Buo and His Excellency Rtd Brigadier Julius Madio Bio for them to help me with medical. I want them to send people to my home to check on my condition,” he says in an interview, intermittently breaking down in tears as he laments his condition.
“I am also appealing to the Minister of Health, the Minister of Social Welfare and other humanitarian organizations, as well as members of parliament to help with my condition,” he adds.
Hijazie, who is a retired worker, currently lives at No. 61K Dwarzack Old Market, Smart Lane, with his wife and two children, a girl and a boy, 13 and 6, respectively.
He says his woes actually started at his workplace, when he was involved in a road accident. He explains that he had a fracture on his leg and was bedridden for a very long time.
Mr Hijazie is grateful to a host of people he named for coming to his aid since then, among them Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, and a fellow Lebanese businessman.
Hijazie also says that the Lebanese community provides him with financial support every month, noting however that, that is hardly enough to meet all his needs as a family man in light of his ill health.
“My problem is that my legs are swollen and I have diabetes. I have difficulty breathing,” he says, adding: “I have liver problem. I need medical treatment.”
Hijazie says he was first admitted at Dr Shuman’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed for blood pressure and diabetes.
“I spoke to members of the party (SLPP) and I got no response from them. No one has visited me. Only Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who sent for me a wheelchair and Le500, 000. And Mr Kallon sent me a wheelchair and Le2million to do CT Scan,” he narrates.
According to Hijazie, a bone specialist at the Connaught Hospital advised that he be admitted there, for which he needs Le10million, including the cost for his operation and medications.
In total, he says, he needs at least Le15million to pay for his treatment.
Mr Hijazie can be reached on Tel: +2327608508, _+23232069750 (Whatsapp).
