Three-year-old Turkish boy with kidney illness fighting for life

Elvan Yılmaz/ DUVAR

Three-year-old Baran Özkadı, who resides with his family in the Central Anatolian province of Çorum is suffering from the multicystic dyplastic kidney illness. Baran, who is unable to walk or speak, has to travel every week to Ankara for treatment three times due to a lack of a nephrology department at hospitals in Çorum. 

The Özkadı family is having difficulty coming up with the expenses for his medical costs as well as travel expenditures. Baran's father Ercan works at a factory in the Ulukavak neighborhood of Çorum. Baran's illness has existed from birth and a result his kidneys are not functioning properly. Baran, who has undergone several surgeries, is breathing through a hole in his throat due to the fact that fluid entered his lungs. 

“After he was born he lived with an incubator for two months. He had surgeries, his heart stopped, and for weeks he was unable to leave intensive care. When he was in intensive care, fluid leaked into his lungs. For this reason he is breathing through a hole in his throat. A device was installed so he is able to breathe. Without that he can't breathe.” said his mother Nesibe Özkadi 

Though the family has managed to ensure treatment for their son for three years so he is able to stay alive, they are facing severe financial difficulties. 

“Until Baran recovers we are forced to go to Ankara. The state is contributing to the expenses of his treatment. We have purchased half of his medication and equipment and continue to do so. The medication is very expensive. The state can't pay for all of it. Between the medication and going to and from Ankara, we have lost our strength. At the moment we are in a very difficult position,” Özkadı said.