Interviews | 20 June 2014 14:14 CET

Top Secret! See why Ailing Chike Bryan Hides His Kidney Donor Identity

Ailing Nollywood scriptwriter, Chike Bryan, in this exclusive interview with Nollywoodgists.com disclosed that he was happy for what President Goodluck Jonathan and the various Guilds in the movie industry in Nigeria have done for him in order to save his life.

How has life been with you since this sickness began, did Nollywood stand by you from the onset?

Nollywood did not turn their back on me. As soon as I fell ill, they all rallied around me. When it started, I went to the hospital and I was diagnosed of high blood pressure and had to be admitted in the hospital for four days and the doctor told my wife that there was something he was noticing which he couldn't handle, but advised that we go to Isolo General Hospital, Lagos, to get a better medical attention. So we got to Isolo, they admitted me again at the emergency ward and they took my blood samples to run some tests. I was there for about five days before the test result was out and they confirmed their fear that my kidney had failed (they call it renal failure).

So, when they confirmed that from the test, they recommended that I should be discharged and referred be to Igando General Hospital, where they have a specialist section and it was closer to me. So we came there and you know normal routine anywhere you go, they will want to carry out another test. They could not rely on the previous test I did elsewhere. So, I was admitted again for about three to four days.

The test result came out and they confirmed it and advised I commenced some treatment mainly on the high blood pressure, which was very high and was running to a stroke level. It was about 260. So they were now battling to calm it down because they said the kidney was related to the high blood pressure and if the kidney was not functioning, the blood pressure will remain high or if the blood pressure was not working well, it will pass on the kidney. But they were battling to bring down the blood pressure first before they could do anything to the kidney.

At a point, they told me that there wasn't any cure for kidney per say, no medicines and all the drugs I was getting was for the other symptoms; hiccups, blur vision and as such, I couldn't see or recognize things around me; those were the things they were battling to stabilize first.

They now recommended that I should go to Isolo General Hospital to commence dialysis, but on getting there, they said it was not possible because their machines were broken down and I was later referred to Gbagada General Hospital. I was taken there and when we got there, I was not admitted, but we were trying to secure dialysis, which we couldn't because they also had issues with their dialysis machine.

Then the doctor there called my wife and advised her that we should commence dialyzing immediately, stating that if we don't do it that day, it would be another story.

So, the Nollywood industry stood by me right from the very beginning that I was embarrassed at Isolo with the kind of visitors I received when I was at Isolo General Hospital. Even the hospital staffs were overwhelmed by the stars and filmmakers they saw. Even while on the sick bed, I cried, not because I was sick, but because of the love and care people were showing to me at that initial period. So right from that time, apart from concern and love, the industry brought money.

The doctor said I have couple of dialysis, which the symptoms will reduce. So, I had like 10 dialysis sessions every other day within one month and truly, like they said, the symptoms reduced and then, i was very dark and thin. The dialysis took over the kidney and it was purifying the blood and everything later became normal and the dialysis had to reduce.

Since the situation was becoming stable, I did not have to be doing it regularly like before. The doctor later told me that the only solution is to have a kidney transplant and for someone who is still young, it was the best option. So we started making inquiry into how much everything will cost. At this point, the industry again rose to the occasion by setting up a committee to raise the funds. But while sourcing for funds, they weren't getting favorable responses until they decided to take it higher to the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima, who took it to President Goodluck Jonathan, who respond to her call by sending the money to me and was given to me to facilitate the transplant in Indian.

Do you already have a donor and who is he?

Well, I do have a donor, but the person's number one wish is for him to remain anonymous because that was the agreement we had. The person said his name should never be mentioned anywhere in the media. So I have a donor, but can't tell you who he is.

Are you saying that the Scriptwriters Guild does not have any health insurance policy?

We have started working on one, but not yet concluded. We have not even signed it yet with the company.

When did you start observing the renal failure or its symptoms?

It was in 2013. I hardly fall ill. I was doing a script for someone and I noticed that I wasn't giving to the script compared to before and I noticed that I was getting thin and weak especially and my wife complained that I should go to the hospital which I did. I was initially diagnosed of typhoid and malaria, which they treated, but I was still feeling the same way until one day I was going out and mid-way, I started vomiting and it was too much that I had to call the person I wanted to go to meet that I couldn't make it again and also called my wife too. She even wanted to come and pick me, but I had to tell her not to worry that I will try and come back myself. So it wasn't as if the sickness gave any signs before, it just came.

Is N10million actually what you need for the treatment?

There are many things involved in transplant. For example, while travelling, I need to go along with a family member to take care of me and also the donor and while at the hospital, they will be staying outside the hospital premises. So, all these involve money. Actually, the bulk of the money goes into what they call the post-transplant drugs as I was told by doctors.

What has been the role of the church towards your health?

The church has its best with prayers because I have seen many people I was dialyzing with that are no more. So the church has been praying for me. Just like in the Bible, when Paul had issues, they kept vigil for him, like Peter also when he had problems, they kept vigil for him, so their prayers really worked for me.

When will you be traveling and how long will the surgery last?

I have initiated travel plans and I have been sent some documents for the travelling plans. I have been preparing, I cannot say how long because as I was told, situations may vary. Ifeanyi Dike had his own transplant in India also and he had problems, he came back and had to go back again. So when you get there, there are procedures and if there is any issue with your donor, that means they will have to look for a replacement. So all the tests that have been done here, when we get there, they will still do another test to really ascertain both parties' capability and they will do what they call type-casting or type –fixing, so hopefully maybe by ending of June.

So, by the grace of God when you return, do you intend doing what brought you favour and fame?

It's not only script I do, it is not because I am the president of scriptwriters Guild of Nigeria, I have also served in other Guilds, I have been secretary of actors way back in 1996, have been also vice president of AMP, Secretary General of Directors Guild in the past, so that is why all the Guilds could come together to help. One way or the other, I have served in all the industries. I can't see myself leaving the industry to do something else. Even someone just called me from Abuja to go get the surgery done on time so that I could come and direct a movie for her. I don't write alone, I am a writer, producer, director.

Outside Nollywood, are there other businesses?

Yes there are other businesses but I had to put them on hold because of my health situation because I can't be able to manage them for now.

How do you tend to cope on your return from surgery?

My God does not sleep. He stood with me from the onset and I know he will stand by me on my return and I know, my good works will always find me out.

We heard that you were given N10million by President Goodluck Jonathan, how true is that?

President Jonathan has been very supportive of the film industry. He is the only president who has officially recognized and has done something big to Nollywood. He celebrated Nollywood at 20 with us and he has given us what we call 'Project Act,' which is some big funds to jump start the film industry. We are still on that one now which is aimed at helping the industry to organize training. So the guilds have benefited and are still benefiting from it and it's a whole lot of support through that project act.

Have these guilds really benefiting from this 'Project Act'?

Yes, all the guilds, as long as you are a guild member; you stand the chance of benefiting. In fact, when my illness started, everybody came together to help me out. I am so impressed because everybody in the industry all tried for me. Both the Yoruba and other aspects of Nollywood were very supportive and never abandoned all this while.

© 2014 Nollywoodgists.com

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