Former UAE resident who lost both his kidneys appeals for help

An Indian man who lost both his kidneys while working in the UAE, is desperately looking for benevolent  donors.

Santosh Nair, aged 42, says he had been working in the then Jeema Mineral Water in Abu Dhabi. The company has since been acquired by Emirates Refreshments Company, which also handles Pepsi and other refreshments.

“After my problem was detected, I lost my job. I could not stay in the UAE and had to rush back to India for treatment. I now undergo three dialyses every week at Santhi Hospital in Calicut. I have been searching for some donors who can donate me with a kidney or get me some assistance,” says Nair.

He has now rented a house near the hospital and lives there most of the time.

Manoy Thallessary, a Key Account Manager at Emirates Refreshments Company, worked together with Nair at Jeema. “I knew him as a very hard working individual. Unfortunately, he had to leave the company because of his medical situation. Once we all pooled in some money and helped him out. But we are not in a position to do it regularly,” said Thallessary.

Nair who spoke to Emirates 24|7 over the phone from Calicut said, “It is very difficult to find donors here in India. It is also very expensive and costs about Dh125,000-140,000 for the whole package, including a replacement kidney. But I do not have so much money,” he added.

Meanwhile, he has filled applications in all major hospitals in Kerala requesting a kidney from accident victims. “The government recently launched such a facility. I have filled up the applications but it is very difficult to find one. You have to be extremely lucky,” he added.

Recollecting the developments that led to the loss of both kidneys Nair said, “I was probably diabetic at a very early age in my life. But I only realized it when I was 22. Ever since then I have been leading a very strict life. However suddenly one day when I was walking up the stairs in office I became very tired and almost collapsed. My face also started swelling. That's when I rushed for treatment and the doctors there told me to leave and return to India at the earliest,” he adds.

Nair’s wife works in Mumbai and is the only breadwinner for the family.

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