Man Pours Hot Water On Friend For Eating His Food
After his street friend poured boiling water on him for allegedly taking his food, a 32-year-old homeless guy is struggling to seek medical help.
Francis Agyei, who refused to consume his friend’s dish, suffered serious mid-section burns and was admitted to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
However, because he lacks the financial means or family contacts to cover his medical expenses, hospital staff have been seeking funds from within the organization to help him.
Francis Agyei moved to Kumasi from his village of Sefwi Bekwai in search of greener pastures. He’s been sleeping in an unfinished structure in Denkyembuoso, Kumasi, since then.
“I came to Kumasi to hustle and make ends meet so I can support my family. I was into ‘galamsey’ before coming here. I came to the city three and half years ago,” he said.
Wrapped in bandages around his midsection and arms, Francis narrates that his friend, under the influence of alcohol, poured hot water on him whilst he was sleeping.
He said he had earlier confronted him over a meal he accused him of eating.
“We had no grudge. My friend explained someone had eaten the rice he had left. He came back to the house around 3:00 am demanding his food. I told him I had not eaten it. I left him and went back to bed. At 5:00 am, he approached me and poured hot water on me,” he said.
Francis was severely burned and is currently undergoing therapy.
Dr. Papa Kwasi Fiifi-Yankson, a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, says Francis has been imprisoned because he is unable to pay his expenses.
“He was initially seen and given the necessary drugs with an occlusive dressing. He’s been discharged and will be visiting the hospital on an outpatient basis. He will be dressing his wounds 2 to 3 times a week. That will cost him about GHC300 to 500 per dressing. But since he is not able to foot his bills, he has been detained,” he said.
Francis, who is unable to pay his bills due to a lack of funds, has relied on the kindness of hospital staff to treat his wounds and give daily meals.
Hagar Baidoo, an emergency nurse at KATH, has been leading the fight to raise money to pay for his medical bills.
“There was nobody to help out with his bills when he was readmitted to the hospital. So, I decided to solicit funds through the nurses and doctors,” she said.
Francis will have no where to go if he is released today. He is pleading for assistance.
“I am calling on my mum and siblings to come to my aid,” he said.
