Pastor with heart condition seeks Sh2.5m to save life

What started as a simple cough for Arina Church Pastor Daudi Obedi has now become a life-threatening condition. The Tanzanian national, who has been in the country since 2007, was in January diagnosed with aortic dissection in the ascending aorta, a fatal condition in which the inner layer of the aorta, the large blood vessel branching off the heart, tears.

Now the pastor urgently requires at least Sh2.5 million to enable him undergo urgent open-heart surgery in India.

It all began on January 5, when he developed a fever and recurring cough. With time, his condition deteriorated and his leg became temporarily paralysed. The pain became unbearable and that's when he was advised to go for a CT-scan.

Consultant Physician Walter Aram said the pastor's condition is critical. He is affected from his heart to his abdomen below the naval. "His heart can explode anytime and if this happens, he will lose his life. We have referred him to a radiologist interventionist, who should first put in a stent to release tension on the aorta so that it does not burst," he said.

"I was admitted recently to St Lukes Hospital in Kisumu and we spent close to Sh100,000. Currently, I am under medication until the surgery is done. I would be glad if Kenyans can save my life. We have an account for contributions with KCB. The account title is Obedi Daudi Lugamba. A/C No: 1179874978," said Pastor Obedi.