By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
-Bong
Alfred Mulbah, a radio inventor and resident of Brooklyn Community in Gbarnga, Bong County, has launched an emotional appeal to the government of President Joseph Boakai, philanthropic organizations, and well-meaning Liberians for aid to pursue advanced medical care outside of Liberia.
Alfred is suffering from a horrible health threat, Aplastic anemia (damaged bone marrow) in his waist, according to a doctor’s report. This situation has caused him to use crutches as his only means of walking.
He lamented that he could feel embarrassed while using the pair of crutches, adding that it can create a lot of pain in his joints.
The 17-year-old boy, who is well known for his remarkable invention, has curtailed his radio station activities in the county due to his pressing health conditions.
Alfred, further explained that his condition is getting worse daily due to what he described as his parent’s inability to fly him abroad for advanced medical treatment.
He emphasized the urgent need for help, stating that if nothing is done by the government, goodwill individuals, philanthropists, and humanitarian organizations in and out of Liberia to help him from this mournful situation, he will continue to suffer.
The talented Liberian youth expressed his sadness to the INQUIRER on February 17, 2025, about his terrible health crisis, thus describing the sickness as a complete chaos to his well-being and invention.
He disclosed that he could only continue his invention if his health was restored.
“Before the invention of my radio station in 2021, I was well and doing my normal daily activities. But right after I built the station (98.7 MHz/104.4MHz) in my yard, one year later, I began feeling pain in my waist and foot, which led me to undergo surgery at the ELWA Hospital in Monrovia, after which I still struggle to walk. As a result of this, I have been compared to a pair of used crutches for movement,” Mulbah said.
He emphasized that the doctor told his family that he (Mulbah) previously suffered from sickle cell (Chronic Rheumatism), which resulted in damaged bone marrow.
He added that the doctor admonished his parents that he would only walk normally again if he sought advanced medical treatment (surgery) out of the country, stating that Liberia does not have the necessary equipment or environment to perform such treatment.
In addition, the doctor further acknowledged to his parents that if Alfred did not continue with the prescribed medication at the time of the surgery, it might result in a paralyzed foot.
Furthermore, Alfred Mulbah is also an intelligent phone repairer who has lost all his customers due to his present doleful condition; an act, according to him, has hindered his ability to make his own money.
As it stands, Alfred Mulbah is a 9th-grade student at the CAN Leadership Academy High School (Triple “A”).
He narrated that most of his friends despised him due to his woeful health status, avowing that it made him feel less important in society.
The youthful inventor has, at the same time, expressed fear over his early demise, stating that his parents have tried their best to make him recover but cannot afford to fly him abroad for advanced treatment.
“My hope of living is declining because my condition is getting worse daily, and any herbs I take in is just like a waste because there is no improvement,” Mulbah said in a sad mood.
Meanwhile, little Alfred Mulbah is appealing for financial assistance from good individuals and organizations to fly out for advanced medical treatment.
