Fuh Bright Passes On

By George Esunge Fominyen

As the days passed, the pictures on the CRTV website of four year old Fuh Bright became more and more disturbing. Thecondition of the boy's severe retinoblastoma or orbital tumor was worsening. The ailment finally overcame the kid's resistance.

He passed away on the morning of 8 January 2008.

What had become a national (if not international) effort to save his life is left behind him.

Only on 7 January 2008, I received a mail from a colleague from  Global Voices Online - an online media initiative for which I contribute. The colleague had translated the article I had posted into Spanish and someone had commented proposing help, but was not sure who to contact and the doctor in charge to confirm the situation.

I  wrote to the Friends of Fuh Bright, a network set up by Cameroonians in the diaspora to alert them. Here was my message:

"Hi:

In our (Global Voices) spanish translation of the post about Fuh Bright, someone fom Venezuela posted a comment in spanish offering help and the mobilization of an officer from the venezuelan embassy at Equatorial Guinea to Yaoundé. They also seem to need the contacts of the doctor in charge.

Would members of Bright Fuh Supporters have an answer to this person.

Here is the link: http://es.globalvoicesonline.org/2009/01/06/camerun-blogueando-para-salvar-a-nino-de-4-anos-con-tumor-orbital/

Thanks,
George Esunge Fominyen"

Kate Njeuma, the coordinator of the group, responded almost immediately:

"can this person contact me directly
I dont understand the language.
thanks
Lady Kate"

That was on 7 January 2008.

On 8 January (this morning) - here is the message she posted to all who were part of the initiative:

"Dear Friends,

I just received a phone call from Mr. Gustav Efotte who is still in Cameroon.
He has had a call from Professor Doh confirming that Bright Fuh our friend we
adopted to help and support has passed on.
He Died this Morning : today January 8th  2009 at the Hospital in Yaounde...

....At this time dear friends let us bow our heads and say that last prayer For Bright Fuh
our little warrior who fought the best fight he could.  He is resting right now and I believe
he is Resting in God's arm. He is an angel.
Let us Pray for his parents too because they stood with Bright all the way.

I will be calling Cameroon again this afternoon and will inform the group of
any updates.

May His Blessed Soul Rest In the Lord

AMEN
___________________
Lady Kate Njeuma
Co-ordinator
Friends of Bright Fuh Committee"

I knew from following this boy's story that things were not on the up. A story posted on the CRTV website on 7 January 2008 entitled: "Has Bright Received a death Sentence or Left to Die" was clear testimony to that state. According to the story "informed medical sources have[had]predicted a not so bright future for Bright". I had also learned from another source that medical experts had prescribed palliative treatment only as it was less likely that even an evacuation could save the boy.

But like all men - I kept the secret hope that this would be altered by some magic and the boy would make it. The various support messages such as one from the Daisy Eye Cancer Fund which was posted on the Supporters of Fuh Bright blog sort of bouyed that hope.

Unfortunately, the Boy didn't make it.

There are going to be many lessons and debates following Bright's death. Cameroonians will talk about the public health care system in Cameroon, the efficiency of medical personnel in the country or the lack of specialists in certain areas. I am sure they shall write about the level of response by both civil society and government or even well-wishers in the country in the face of such emergencies. Surely, a few would use this to make political statements, while others would watch out to know what happens to the donations that were made while the struggle to rescue young Fuh Bright was on.

Above all, I suppose we should give thought to this brave 4 year old fighter who according the CRTV article still energetically wanted to have a dish of "Achu" when there was mostly despair around. Let's respect the pain of his 21 year old mother and 23 year old father at this time. Just as we should seriously think about the many other Brights out there - whose stories have not been heard and whose lives could also be saved.  

Comments

[Irine Asanji]

How sad! All accusations can be levied, all lessons claimed to have been learnt, all suggestions for a better "next time" would be tabled, but the question is, how come he never got evacuated? How best was this managed? Was someone looking for an opportunity to win a Nobel prize at the expense of this child, appear on Oprah or obtain a free ticket to paradise? whatever the case, I still feel Bright had a chance for a second medical opinion as was being mobilized worldwide. I still feel there was some ego issue dangling around his case. And I still feel power and bottlenecking were somehow present in the execution of certain decisions that were to convey little Bright to a re-assessment and possibly a mitigation of his condition. But alas! I would just be doing what I think others would soon do in reaction to this sad news: and that would be namecalling, the futility of which has never solved any problem since the origin of history. You may call it, crying over spilt-milk. The best I can do now is pray for the peaceful repose of Bright's soul knowing that God is the one being that never fails in His promises. Rest Bright, Rest...God has called you to rest. Blessings to all who had the goodwill and relentless intentions to restore health to Bright. And courage to his parents. They have also gone through a lot. It shall be well!