SATISH Gobin, at 19 years, was given a new lease on life when his mother, Ms. Shureen Ragbeer, donated a kidney to him.
And furthering his education is the first thing on his list as he begins the rest of his life.
“I am thinking about engineering, but am not sure. It might be either the Government Technical Institute or the University of Guyana,” he said.
Satish was a geological technologist with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), but fell sick last December.
He added that since his previous job required him to be physically fit, he decided to switch to engineering.
Gobin was diagnosed in February with chronic renal failure and attracted the support of many, including the Three Rivers Kids Foundation – a Canadian based support group.
Since his diagnosis, the Foundation has been supporting his dialysis treatments here in Guyana and covered the cost of his kidney transplant.
Dialysis services here are offered via a partnership between the private and public sectors; hence the cost is now a subsidized $45,000 at the 5G Dialysis Centre, South Ruimveldt.
The 19-year-old spent six weeks in India with his mother and father, James Gobin, and was treated at the Pushpavati Singhania Research Institute (PSRI) in New Delhi.
He said, “The facilities were very good. When I got there I was admitted and they had to do some more tests. The surgery went smoothly and after I was discharged we stayed in a guest house until I was able to travel.’
The cost of the entire undertaking was more than US$15,000.
The Three Rivers Kids Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to helping sick children in Guyana whose parents are too poor to afford medical care overseas. The Foundation has helped over 60 children receive life-saving surgery.
“I am feeling better since the surgery,” he said.
However, to ensure that this good feeling is maintained, the 19-year-old has to take an average 16 pills each day.
“It is 11 different kinds of tablets that I have to take five times a day,” Gobin said.
Satish is grateful for the second chance he has been given.
His mother echoed these sentiments and added that the support of the Three Rivers Foundation has been a blessing.
She expressed special thanks to businessman Bish Panday, who was the first person to support the 19-year-old’s dialysis treatments.
“We have had much support from our neighbours, friends, family and the Ministry of Health,” she said.
She noted too, as any mother would, that she wishes the best for her son and his future.