By Sue-Ann Wayow
POPULAR Islamic talk show host Inshan Ishmael is building a hospital and not just to deal with cancer-related diseases.
The building is almost infrastructurally completed at the Barakah Grounds in Chaguanas.
Ishmael, who is battling cancer of the bone himself, said he will continue to be a catalyst for change as long as he has breath.
Speaking with AZP News this week, Ishmael said while everyday there were pains about his body, he was glad he was diagnosed and not his wife or children.
“I thank God it is me and not them,” he said, admitting that his situation has brought his family closer to each other.
He believes God had blessed him that way even as he shared publicly grim news about his illness.
Ishmael’s heart is filled with gratitude for his immediate family members, extended family members, supporters, well-wishers and the public and private healthcare system.
Diagnosed last year with cancer, he shared that it was by chance the cancer was detected, although, he at 57 has been accustomed to getting regular check-ups.
While walking his dog, the dog accidently hit him in the groin area and that night, he passed blood. The next morning, the blood was thicker so he decided to go for a medical check-up.
“The diagnosis, it was another form of cancer which was the kidney type of cancer but because it spread it was treated differently. By then it would have hit stage four,” Ishmael said.
It started off with the kidney and then spread quickly throughout his body. While he has lost a significant 40 pounds, it was not the best way to lose weight, he said.
Ishmael is battling urothelial carcinoma-a cancer that starts in the urinary system and could spread to the bones as in his case.
The talk show host, businessman, activist and leader in charitable causes said he has spent over $3 million in the last year and two months seeking medical attention.
Most of the surgical procedures would have taken place this year he said.
Having to travel aboard for some treatment, Ishmael is hoping he can take some time out to spend with his family.
He also said a lot of misdiagnoses took place at the hospitals giving the example that he was told his creatinine levels were high due to the cholesterol medication he was taking and there was no follow up to see if the kidneys were functioning normally.
People and doctors should double check their prognosis Ishmael advises.
He is hopeful that with a change in administration and two medical doctors at the helm of the Ministry of Health, that improvements may take place especially for cancer patients.
“I am pleasantly surprised at the direction that they are going. I look forward to seeing how people like myself and others who have played a role in the past in trying to change so much in this country that we are able with whatever little last breath we have, that we are still able to assist so that at least we know that we would have made a difference,” Ishmael said.
He said his heart goes out to the young people especially those who are diagnosed with cancer.
“I am appealing to the administration, please let us work towards a goal making cancer something that we deal with. It is not something that is going to go away but let us make it manageable.”
In praising the medical teams, Ishmael said, “There is a team that goes unrecognised that is the team at the Oncology Centre at the San Fernando Hospital with Dr Bhagaloo and his team. There are those in the private institutions as well. I pay recognition to all sides. They have done well within their limitations.”
He added, “I wish that the equipment that the private services utilise that it would be in the public health system.”
Ishmael also appealed to Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe to put measures in place so that the appointment waiting times could be minimised.
About the facility he is building, he told AZP News, “My goal is to do a hospital and to treat with cancer to see how we could make life more comfortable, putting back the care in healthcare. My family and I together with members of the public, we are putting things in place to build a facility. It is not going to be 100 per cent free because it’s impossible but we will be able to offer free surgeries and be able to assist people with counselling and physiotherapy free and also be able to raise funds.”
During his show Breaking Barriers on Wednesday night, Ishmael was able to raise $1.5million.
He said some days, due to the medication he was under, he would feel a bit tired, dizzy and sometimes a bit overwhelmed but with every day, he will continue to strive to make a difference, to assist someone and to be there for his family as long as he could.
