A 29-year-old patient at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), who desperately needed a GH¢7,300 to undergo surgery, can now heave a sigh of relief, after the National Chairman of the United Front Party (UFP), Nana Agyenim Boateng, aka Gyataba, paid the amount to cater for the treatment.

Nana Agyenim Boateng, on Monday, presented a cheque for GH¢7,300 to the Maxilloficial Department of the Oral Health Directorate of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, to enable surgery on the patient to commence.

The patient, James Onyina, is set to undergo surgery to correct an abnormality resulting from the growth of a tumour of the lower jaw (mandible), which has made it difficult for him to speak, feed and has generally distorted his appearance.

Doctors at the Oral Health Directorate say Onyina, who hails from Juaso in the Asante Akim South District of the Ashanti Region, needs reconstructive surgery to correct the distorted jaw, and to also stop the tumour from further developing in other parts of his body.

He has currently been rendered edentate (without teeth) as a result of the tumour, which started as a small boil under his lower chin.

Presenting the cheque to cover the surgery, Nana Boateng said he was touched by the sad story of Onyina, and decided to consult friends and relatives to mobilise funds towards his treatment.

“I am a citizen of Juaso, and I could not bear the sight of my brother going through such an ordeal, so I decided to consult friends and associates in order to raise the funds for his surgery,” Gyataba told The Chronicle in an interview.

He said he was hopeful that the money had come in time for the surgery to commence, so that the patient can be treated and return to normal life.

The leader of the Medical Team, Dr. Michael Yeliborah, said they would fix a new plate to support the lower jaw, and also stop the spread of the tumour, which, he said, could have affected his lungs, and, eventually, seize his breath.

Dr. Yeliborah commended the UFP Chairman for his benevolent gesture, and promised that the team would do well to treat the patient.