By Our Correspondent.
The editor of the COCORIOKO online newspaper , Rev. Wilfred Leeroy Kabs-Kanu , has still not taken up his appointment as Director of Communications at State House in Freetown due to deteriorating health.
A long time sufferer of cardiovascular ailments after a minor heart attack in Liberia in 1988 , Kabs, as he is fondly known, has now been diagnosed with diabetes and kidney problems .
His physician, Dr. Hans Gandhi , has advised against travelling to Sierra Leone just yet , because of his medical problems .
"I am very determined to serve my country and my people.I am thankful to President Ernest Koroma for giving me the opportunity to serve my country. I am ready to undetake any sacrifice to leave the diaspora and go to Sierra Leone to serve my country .However, my health has not made it possible for me to leave now as Dr. Gandhi has discovered more problems with me, which in his opinion, will endanger my life in a third world country without the American type of speedy and reliable health care delivery services ", Kabs stated today .
In an exclusive interview with the PATRIOTIC VANGUARD he revealed that the cost of medication alone is very high, even with his insurance. After the insurance has paid its own part , he has a co-payment of over $300 monthly for his heart, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney medications , which he is required to take everyday.
Without insurance , he will have to spend up to $700 for these drugs. He will lose his insurance when he resigns from his teaching job in the U.S . to take up his job in Sierra Leone. The first question is whether these drugs are available in Sierra Leone and how much they will cost without insurance. The second is what emergency and urgent medical facilities are available in Sierra Leone in the event of an emergency.
Kabs(pictured) also informed PV that he has written President Ernest Koroma to inform him about his medical problems and his doctor’s advice.
He said he is determined to set up a communication system for President Koroma that will be second to none and the envy of other West African nations, but it looks like he needs plenty of time first to bring his health to par.
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