Chizoba Okoro is the Imo undergraduate whose flier for a thanksgiving service went viral upon surviving after a doctor allegedly mistakenly cut his intestine during treatment. He shares the experience with TOPE OMOGBOLAGUN

How did the incident happen?

I am popularly known as Danlynton Remedy. I am studying Sociology at the Abia State University, but I live at Okigwe in Imo State.

On April 6 this year, I was heading to another village in Okigwe called Umuaka to see my boss since I was also training as a printer. On my way to the village, I was involved in an accident; I collided with another motorbike. The handle of my bike hit me in the stomach. Although I didn’t sustain any major injury, I soon discovered that the part of my stomach that got hit by the handle was red and I had pains there. I was rushed to a private hospital in Okigwe to ascertain if I had not sustained an internal injury.

What led to the treatment error?

When the handle hit me in my stomach and I began to feel the pain, my stomach became red. While the doctor said he was trying to check if there was bad blood there, he used the surgical blade on me and in the process, he accidentally cut my small intestine and faeces started gushing out of my stomach.

What happened thereafter? 

The doctor then referred me to the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia where a surgery was carried out on me. Doing the surgery at the FMC Umuahia, six doctors operated on me. They opened up my stomach, removed my small intestine and I learnt they cleaned it with some chemicals and stitched it back.

Did the doctor or the hospital pay for the treatment at the FMC?

No, they did not. I did not receive one naira from him. The doctor owns the hospital. In fact, I have not recovered from the debt of the surgery. I still have some debt to pay.

How did you feel when faeces started coming out of your stomach?

I was in serious pain. I could neither sit nor lie. I was uncomfortable because the pain was unbearable. I watched helplessly as faeces gushed out.

What is the name of the doctor and hospital?

I am sorry. I can’t mention his name or the name of the hospital. It is a popular hospital in Okigwe. They have begged me and people told me to leave them alone since I didn’t die in the process. Besides, we are kinsmen. I have forgiven him. I don’t want to ruin his career.

For how long were you in the hospital?

I had the accident on April 6. The doctor gave me some injections and also administered some treatment on me. Thereafter, he told me to go for a scan /x-ray which I did that the same day and I gave him the results.

I went back the following day to complain that I was still having serious pains; so he used the surgical blade and that was how he cut my small intestine.  That day, when I got to the hospital at Umuahia, I was told some doctors were not around but those who were around attended to me properly. On Sunday when the doctors came around, I was taken into the theatre where the operation was carried out on me.  I was there from 10am till 6pm when the surgery ended.  I stayed for like two to three weeks at the hospital for recovery.  After I was discharged, I still visited from time to time for a check-up.

What did the doctor say caused the mistake?

He said it was a mistake and it was the handiwork of the devil, but some people told me the man was on alcohol.

What lessons has the situation taught you?

It has taught me that God needs me to still be on this earth. Also, I feel He does not want my family to be in tears because I am the only son of my family.

Why did you decide to print fliers for a thanksgiving?

I am a printer; so, it was an easy one for me to do. Besides, I printed the fliers because I wanted to appreciate God in a big way.

What were people’s reactions to it?

Most people, who reacted to it, were those in my immediate environment. They understood the gravity of what I went through and were happy for me that I came out alive especially because I am the only son.

How did the event go?

It went well. We had a good time just that I didn’t receive enough gift as expected. People came and ate without giving me anything.  And because I was excited by the whole situation, I took many things on credit with the hope that I would pay back after the party. I am confused now because I don’t know what to do.

Did you have the thanksgiving because you wanted to get gifts?

No, I did it to thank God for the life that He gave me, but I guess I just expected people to be courteous.

Why did you wait till October to do the thanksgiving?

I wanted to be sure that I was properly healed.