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Ailing Kenyan in South Africa Denied a Kidney Because He’s a Foreigner
IN DANGER: Dishon Muriuki’s life is hanging by a thread because as a refugee he does not qualify for a kidney transplant. Muriuki fled his homeland of Kenya during the post election upheaval of 2007. Picture: SIHLE MAVUSO
A Kenyan refugee who fled to South Africa in 2007 during the political violence that erupted in his country now has to endure the pain of watching his life coming to an end – because he is a foreigner.
Dishon Muriuki, 37, urgently requires a kidney transplant, but he does not qualify as he is “not a permanent resident of South Africa”.
He has been admitted to Addington Hospital for kidney dialysis treatment, but will be disconnected soon.
Fellow Kenyan refugee Damuris Kibe told The New Age that they had lost hope after finding that every avenue to get treatment for Muriuki was closed.
Kibe said even attempts to get the Human Rights Commission to intervene in the matter had been unsuccessful.
She alleged an official at the HRC’s Durban offices had promised to write to the minister of health and call them later with an update.
“Up to today we are still waiting for that call. This matter is very urgent as I am not convinced he can survive after he is released from the hospital as they said they will release him and give him medication to use at home.”
Kibe also produced a letter allegedly written by Prof A Assonga from Chief Albert Luthuli Hospital where kidney patients are transferred and treated.
The letter states that Muriuki can’t have a kidney transplant because he is not a permanent resident of South Africa and his relatives have been advised about it.
“The patient and five relatives have been counselled regarding the fact that he does not qualify for the kidney programme because of his asylum seeker status,” the letter reads in part.
Provincial health spokesperson Chris Maxon did not respond to questions regarding Muriuki’s matter.
Kibe argued that in most dire cases health asylum seekers or refugees are exempted from many laws governing their host countries on grounds that they find themselves outside their countries not of their own will.
“This is an urgent matter that cannot wait for laws to change. What makes matters worse is that Muriuki’s wife was deported to Kenya two months ago. This has added to Muriuki’s stress; his prospects are dim.
Posted by Editor
on February 21, 2012. Filed under INTERNATIONAL NEWS.
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Tonga Steel
February 21, 2012 at 5:28 am
This is the apex of unfairness
Kabs int'nl
February 21, 2012 at 7:11 am
Sad story. God intervene in your own special way.
Jack Silwimba
February 21, 2012 at 7:23 am
its sad
Kafupi
February 21, 2012 at 7:36 am
Let this man go back home please, there is no more war in kenya and his embassy can help him with a ticket. why suffer when your people are still living. diasporans have a problem. Refugee for what??
Chama Febie
February 21, 2012 at 8:43 am
@Kafupi i think you’re right he must just go home why suffering in a foreign land,go back home maybe you’ll find help.YABA IT’S HECTIC IN THIS WORLD
Bob
February 21, 2012 at 9:14 am
Thats the reality and agony of being a “Kwerekwere” foreigner in South Africa. Thats how deeply entrenched xenophobia is in SA. Even policies are xenophobic and the people are worse. shame on Zuma and his minions
Sorry
February 21, 2012 at 10:27 am
Sorry once again but listen to kafupi’s voice and chama febie. Once again I say sorry.
Folks, let us live suffer and die in our own countries like Gaddafi defied leaving it despite seeing a bright future in foreign lands yet no future in his homeland. Sorry.
Ndate
February 21, 2012 at 11:11 am
Lesa talekelesha abakwe,God won’t leave you alone Muruik,faith will heal you.Have faith and not only belief.Faith is possession and believing is expectation.Possesses your healing now and just call upon the name of the Lord,we are with you in prayers.Lord Almighty take charge
Fyakubantu
February 21, 2012 at 11:34 am
am in SA, believe me these pipo r wicked and the least they can do is deport him to his country
conman
February 21, 2012 at 12:16 pm
fyakwifwaila. there is no more conflict in kenya and yet this idioot wants to still be in south affrica as a refugee. go back to your country before you die. at least they will treat you with respect there.
Chama Febie
February 21, 2012 at 12:45 pm
@Fyakubantu it’s not every person in SA who’s evil am also in SA and i was once admitted those people they really took good care of me i can’t speak bad things about South African nurses
Chama Febie
February 21, 2012 at 12:53 pm
This man must just go back home,how can they give him a kidney while they’re alot of South Africans who’re in need of kidneys
Nchenga
February 21, 2012 at 1:35 pm
I sympathise with him.i agree with all of you guys who have positive feeling on this man like chama,kafupi,sory,etc.he has to go back home than fighting with stubbon minded people.Guys,lets pray for him so that he can go alive and get medication.
Mukombe
February 21, 2012 at 2:26 pm
My friend just go back to your people and all will be well their are no spare kidneys for foreigners I hope you got that message.
linda
February 21, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Typical of south africans,very heartless people esp concerning “foreigners” as they call them and yet we are all black.My brother pack up your little dignity and strenghth you have left and go back home.Theres no regard for life in that land.45 Foreigners were slaughtered a few years back if i remember well so your plea is on deaf ears.Im sure kibaki with so much revenue from tourism will help your predicament but remember keep the faith.OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD and he will hear your cry.All the best.
linda
February 21, 2012 at 5:55 pm
The murders of the 45 foreigners happened during the xenophobic attacks around the whole of south africa.I was scared for my life and i left that country.Human life is cheap there and a kwere kwere is a thorn in their eyes.leave asap
Philip Kalaluka Muyangwa
February 21, 2012 at 6:35 pm
GUYS LETS NOT CALL OUR BROTHER NAMES, HE IS IN PAIN AND ITS NOT BY CHOICE TO SUFFER THAT WAY.
I ALSO AGREE THAT HE GOES BACK TO KENYA WHERE HE WILL BE RESPECTED AND CAN EVEN GET MEDICATION VIA GOVT SPONSORSHIP.
ruth
February 21, 2012 at 7:56 pm
my God is big than you think my friend’s brother was in the same ondition in kenya he did not have any transplant as the doctors said my friend nd i prayed and his kidney was restored all the glory goes to his only healer you need right now .google healing scripture and read the them everyday moring launch and evening like medication.i wish i could tel him personaly.i will be praying for you my brother.
Heal quickly
February 21, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I live in RSA. The people here are heartless and have no sympathy.
Sometimes you wonder if they were born from human beings.
Fault Finder
February 22, 2012 at 12:05 am
Namwebene ukutemwa ukuya ku Sth Africa. Kuti basuka ba mitendwa nga mwacidibisha mu calo ca bene. By the way, why did our Kenyan brother by-pass Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi & Bots if all he needed was asylum? Any way I feel sorry for him.
Permit Revoker
February 22, 2012 at 7:53 am
If dis guy was in Z, I would have revoked his residence permit and deported him. We need kidneys for Zedians drinking Tujilijili daily.
sampa mapangala
February 22, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Too bad bro. YOU CAN ONLY BE FREE IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY!!!!
Sadi
February 23, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Let Kenyan embassy do something and ensure this guy goes back home and get the much needed treatment urgently. MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD HAVE MERCY AND COMPASSION,HEAL THIS MAN IN JESUS’ NAME. . PSALMS 103:3 AMEN AND AMEN
JK
February 23, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Let him attend the Healing School in South Africa with Pastor Chris. The session is on +27113262467, +27117872350
email:[email protected]
chinyama
February 24, 2012 at 1:12 am
very sad he should act quickly,let him go home he should ask for assistance from his embassy for travel arrangements.Lord help him.
phiri
February 25, 2012 at 9:53 am
Is the kidney to be given to this Foreigner coming from a Kenyan or a South African? GO HOME SWEET HOME GO.How many South Africans are in kenya with kidney failier? Not even one.