An 11-Year-old boy from Mbala is the sole family member taking care of his critically sick 49-year-old father currently admitted to the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH) where he was referred to.
His father, Reuben Musukuma, has been diagnosed with tuberculosis relapse and suspected lung cancer.
“My father has been unwell for the past six months and I have been the only one by his side as my mother died when I was still a baby,” he said in an interview conducted in the presence of UTH acting public relations officer Brilliant Mukuma and his father.
“It is my father who has raised me and he is the only relative I have and ever known. When he got very sick last week and was informed that he will be moved to Lusaka for further treatment, I tried visiting a few relatives dad suggested to me, hoping that maybe one or two elders will come along.
“But those I approached told me that they are not our relatives, they said a lot of things and denied taking up any responsibility with regard to dad’s health or myself. Before I realised it, it was time to move dad to this big hospital.”
Mr Mukuma said Mr Musukuma, a Mbala resident, came with his son and was admitted to UTH on Monday. “His father is in a critical condition,” he said.
“We have been told that the young boy is the only relative to this man and that they have no relatives willing to render help in this situation.
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“The social welfare has been notified about this issue and we are hoping for a solution to be found.” The boy told Daily Mail that it has been rough taking care of his father, who is currently on an oxygen machine.
Zambia Daily Mail
