Ezbunwa Oluchi, a young woman living in Nigeria, has been grappling with heart complications for several years. She and her twin sister, Ogechi, live in an underprivileged village in Imo state Nigeria, and when difficulties arise, they always support each other.
Ogechi has stood by her sister throughout her entire medical journey. She remained by Oluchi’s side, providing care as her symptoms worsened, and fervently hoped for a way to save her life. For years, Oluchi had no relief from her symptoms, until a doctor finally prescribed her some medication in 2022, which provided some relief, albeit temporary.
By January of 2024, however, Ezbunwa Oluchi’s condition took a turn for the worse. She began experiencing severe shortness of breath, significant weight loss due to loss of appetite, and was in considerable distress. Upon seeking medical attention at the hospital, a doctor informed them that Oluchi had an atrial septal defect and that she required open heart surgery.
This news filled the sisters with despair, as the financial burden of the surgery was impossible for their family. Ogechi was devastated by the news of her sister’s diagnosis. She had lost a child to heart complications a few years before, and couldn’t bear the thought of losing another loved one.
A few months later, someone from the hospital reached out to Ogechi and informed her that Oluchi could have surgery during the VOOM medical mission in May. The twins were eager to come, but also afraid to hope that this mission team might be able to help them. When they learned that VOOM could perform the surgery, free of charge, tears of joy flowed.
Thanks to the volunteer surgeons and the surgical supplies and equipment that MAP donated, Oluchi’s surgery was performed, and was a huge success. She is full of gratitude and recovering well from her operation. Ogechi expressed that her sister’s deepest desire is to return to the normal life she had before her heart problems began.
Because of VOOM’s partnership with MAP, Oluchi finally had access to the lifesaving surgical care she needed. Now, Oluchi has a new lease on life, and hope for a joy-filled future.
.
