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General News of Wednesday, 10 August 2016

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

All you need to know about ailing Dr David Abdulai

In a bid to save the life of Dr. David Abdulai, founder of The Shekinah Clinic who’s suffering from stage-4 thyroid cancer, President John Mahama directed the Ghana Air Force to evacuate Dr Abdulai to Accra in order to receive optimal care.

According to a post ascribed to the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe on Wednesday, he said “His Excellency the President directed the Ghana Air Force to evacuate Dr Abdulai to Accra three days ago, so he can receive optimal care. He was flown to Accra yesterday and is currently receiving the care he needs.”

Dr. Bampoe appreciating campaign for funds for the Doctor Abdulai advised that though the President has intervened, the fund-raising efforts are in the right direction, “proceeds will surely be appreciated by Dr Abdulai.”

About Dr. David Abdulai

Dr. David Abdulai is the founder of The Shekinah Clinic, a medical facility that offers free medical service and accommodation to the destitute and homeless located in the Northern Region. He was diagnosed as having stage-4 thyroid cancer in May.

Reports say Dr Abdulai’s condition is fast deteriorating and requires urgent financial assistance to take care of his medical expenses.

About Cancer of Thyroid

Cancer of the thyroid is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is at the base of the throat. It has two lobes, one on the right side and one on the left.

Specialists have advised Dr Abdulai who is popularly known as the ‘Mad Doctor’ to seek treatment abroad, which would cost him a fortune.
It is in this direction that he requests the support of philanthropists and well-wishers to offer him financial assistance to travel abroad for the treatment.

Dr Abdulai’s “madness” for selfless service

Dr Abdulai’s large heart toward the needy has earned him “The Mad Doctor” name- as it is ‘unreasonable’ for a trained medical doctor to venture into a non-profitable business in this part of Africa where such high-level education is seen as an escape route from poverty.

Dr Abdul’s life story even make it more complex to understand his choices as he was himself born into abject poverty; his father died of leprosy, while his 11 siblings and mother died as a result of poverty induced diseases, leaving him as the only survivor.

Dr Abdulai was trained at the University of Ghana Medical School, after which he had a stint at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and 37 Military Hospital respectively before relocating to Tamale to establish Shekinah Clinic with the sole aim of giving back to the society.

The Shekinah Clinic which was birthed in 1989 has - since it inception- treated and housed lepers, HIV/AIDS patients, mentally and physically disabled and the destitute; receiving 30 new patients on a daily basis.

Dr Abdulai’s drive for service to humanity couldn’t be deterred by the fact that he depends solely on donations to run two of such hospitals in the Northern region. He also initiated “Meal on Wheels” a unique program that has fed up to 100-150 people per day spanning 2 years.

While his foundation has received donations from individuals, local and international organisations, he has never paid himself a salary for work done.

Helping the good Samaritan

According to specialists, it is believed that if he goes through such therapy, it could help save his life, and help him continue his good works to the needy.

Donations are advised to be paid into the accounts below:

Kindly send all donations to:

- MTN Mobile Money Number (Ghana) - 055-555-3517

- Name - "Heeden Foundation"

- Reference Code ( Your name + any 3-digit code)