By STANLEY NWANOSIKE

Women Arise for Change Initiative, an NGO, has urged Anambra Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo and his wife, Nonye, to come to the rescue of eight-month-old Chizeterem Ezenwata, suffering from a hole in her heart.

The NGO also called on the state Commissioner for Women and Children Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, public-spirited individuals and organizations and the wealthy to come to the rescue of the baby, whose parents had exhausted their finances trying to save the baby’s life.

The Secretary of the NGO in Anambra, Pastor Chinyere Amah, made the call on Christmas Day (Monday) after members of the NGO visited the family at their residence in Onitsha, Anambra.

During the visit, a crying Mrs. Oluchukwu Ezenwata, mother of the baby, said that since the baby was born they had taken her to various hospitals in Lagos.

Ezenwata said that they had practically spent all they had to provide the best and adequate medical care for the baby without success.

“Recently they referred us to Irene Okwosa Specialist Hospital, Oraifite, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State where they billed us N8.5 million to perform heart surgery which the family cannot afford.

“My beloved daughter should not be allowed to die because of paucity of funds,” the mother lamented.

Amah appealed to the Soludos, whom by birth and inclination are passionate about the welfare of children and women, and all people of goodwill to help wipe away tears and predicaments of the family.

“There’s no doubt in our minds that his Excellency, Prof. Charles Soludo, and her Excellency, Dr Nonye Soludo, have been doing it before and will continue to do it for the interest and welfare of humanity.

“We also appeal to other public-spirited individuals to help in this regard as the only good motive in life is ‘doing good for one’s country and citizens’.

“We also appeal to National President of Women Arise for Change Initiative and veteran human rights activist, Dr. Joe Odumakin, to help in ameliorating the predicament of baby Ezenwata and her parents,” she said.

Amah also gave out the cell-phone numbers of the Ezenwatas, as “08034925665 and 08063912172”, for easy contact. (NAN)