Kidney patient running out of time to fund life-saving surgery

Sosefo Lakalaka has been in NZ paying for dialysis for three years as Tonga does not have the facilities to treat him. Photo / Martin Sykes

A Tongan overstayer counting the days until a life-changing operation in New Zealand is looking unlikely to meet the $110,000 fee needed to make it happen.

Sosefo Lakalaka has been here for the past three years paying for dialysis treatment - both his kidneys are failing and Tonga does not have any facilities to treat his condition.

After years of paying for his medical needs, his family have nothing left over for a transplant operation scheduled for June 20 in Auckland.

But since late last month Mr Lakalaka's supporters have been fundraising to make sure the operation goes ahead.

A radiothon in Tonga has raised 30,000 pa'anga ($20,256) and an earlier Herald appeal raised $9774.14.

Family advocate Ulualo Pouhila said that although the family were still hoping New Zealanders would continue to donate, they were also trying to apply for a bank loan to make up the difference.

"The money that has come through has been amazing. But their only hope is the loan, it's a big struggle for them."

Mr Lakalaka has not seen his wife or five children since he has been in the country, but a brother has moved here to help financially support his sick sibling.

Mr Pouhila said the extended family were exhausted by continual fundraising efforts over the three years which had gone towards paying for dialysis, which had cost up to $2559 a week.

If the operation costs were not met in time, Mr Lakalaka would continue to visit the dialysis clinic twice weekly, but it was an option which served nobody's interests, Mr Pouhila said.

"It's a hell of a job.

"This is an opportunity to send him home."

HOW TO HELP
Donations to assist can be made through the ANZ bank account:
Sosefo Lakalaka and Family
01 0186 0379433 00