One of my sons complained about feeling feverish. That was kind of odd, especially because he had only been discharged less than two weeks ago after been hospitalized for a few days. Although we cannot put a price on the importance of being healthy, we just could not imagine having to spend any money on medical bills again. Not so soon.
My hubby and I decided that I take him to a laboratory facility not too far from where we live to have him run some tests. He was tested for malaria and would have a full blood work check for probable infection. I heaved a sigh of relief as the results came back negative for malaria. Specifics of his full blood count were within normal limits. Phew!
While we were waiting for the cashier to tidy up our bill, I couldn’t help noticing a disturbed teenager who had come in earlier with two children. One of the children looked really ill. I was sure that they hadn’t been attended to so I wondered why they were leaving. I asked the girl what the matter was and she said that she did not have enough money to cover the tests that the sick child was supposed to run. She had been referred to the lab by a nearby hospital. She said she would return the next day to have the tests done. With hesitation I asked her how much the short fall was and she said five hundred Naira. My eyes almost popped out. A child’s life was going to be risked as she would be denied of a proper diagnosis because of five hundred Naira (the equivalent of 1.35 US Dollars). I sorted out my bill and gave the teenager the money. She stayed back to run the tests while I left with my son.
I wanted to buy a crate of eggs on my way home from the lab but only had enough money left to buy half a crate. I was happy and just thankful that the cost of half a crate of eggs meant that a child could investigative medical tests done. And yes, I still got ‘em eggs; enough to last a few days.
Mary says
I like this. #charity is good.
Boluwatiwi says
Thank you Mary. I appreciate your feedback.
I am glad the post spoke to you.