In a remarkable act of generosity, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, a prominent Ghanaian businessman and philanthropist, has stepped in to fund the life-saving treatment of 10-year-old Lisa Laryea, a stage four myeloid leukemia patient. Lisa, accompanied by some family members and a medical team, was flown to South Africa on Sunday 24 November via an air ambulance for specialized treatment valued at over $110,000.
The young girl’s plight came to light after a flyer detailing her condition and the associated costs began circulating on social media. In an interview with Lily Mohammed on Starr FM, Rafik Mahama, an aide to Ibrahim Mahama, revealed how the intervention was initiated.
“So what happened is we saw the flyer circulated on social media, and that drew our attention to the plight of Lisa. My boss, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, was notified about the flyer, and he quickly gave instructions that we should get in touch with the family to see how we could help,” Rafik Mahama explained.
He elaborated on the swift steps taken to organize Lisa’s travel and treatment. “We started with the documentation and traveling documents, coordinating with our team in South Africa and the doctor she asked for. I also spoke to the doctor at Ridge Hospital handling Lisa’s case, who explained everything. Based on advice, we arranged for a doctor to accompany Lisa along with her mother and aunt. They are leaving town today.”
This isn’t the first time Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has undertaken such initiatives. According to Rafik, the businessman has consistently demonstrated empathy and commitment to assisting individuals facing life-threatening conditions, often without media coverage.
“It’s something that my boss does because he has empathy towards humanity. It’s not about the money but about saving lives and ensuring people get better treatment. We’ve handled many similar cases, though most aren’t in the media. By God’s grace, we hope everything will go well with Lisa as well,” Rafik said.
Lisa’s case has highlighted the importance of both community support and philanthropic intervention in addressing critical healthcare challenges. The Laryea family, now on their way to South Africa, expressed hope for Lisa’s recovery as they embark on this life-saving journey.
The treatment, which includes travel expenses and specialized medical care, has been fully paid for by Mr. Mahama. As Lisa departs Ghana for South Africa, her story serves as a testament to the power of compassion and collective action in transforming lives.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Emmanuel Mensah