- Collo Kibet, a Kenyan man working in Qatar, has become a source of inspiration for many on TikTok as he bravely shares his hospitalisation journey
- Kibet was diagnosed with acute abdominal obstruction on March 1 and has since been hospitalised in Qatar, waiting for major surgery in September
- He has chronicled his experience, turning his struggle into a message of awareness and hope for others
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Collo Kibet, a 28-year-old Kenyan man working in Qatar, has been on a challenging hospitalisation journey after being diagnosed with acute abdominal obstruction.
Kibet starts losing weight but ignores
Despite the hardships, he has been an inspiration to many on TikTok, using his handle @starkibet to share his experience and raise awareness about the importance of seeking medical attention promptly.
Kibet's health troubles began in November 2022 when he started experiencing chest pain and a persistent cold.
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Rather than taking his symptoms seriously, he resorted to over-the-counter medicine, assuming it was a minor ailment that would pass.
However, as the days went by, his condition worsened, and he noticed a significant weight loss, which he attributed to poor eating habits.
Even during the FIFA World Cup celebrations, Kibet continued to ignore his deteriorating health.
His feet started swelling, likely a sign of an underlying issue, but he dismissed it as fatigue from overworking during the busy period.
It was not until February 2023 that Kibet's pain became unbearable, forcing him to buy painkillers and eventually visit a clinic.
"Went out with bro in February 2023, but I did not enjoy it because I was in so much pain," Kibet captioned one of his photos.
Kibet takes to TikTok to share his journey online
There, he was given temporary relief, but his situation took a turn for the worse on February 17 when he was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with acute abdominal obstruction.
He underwent minor surgery initially, but complications arose, and he had to undergo major surgery on March 1.
During his extended hospital stay, Kibet remained strong, buoyed by the support of his brother, who stood by him throughout the difficult period.
"My brother kept visiting and putting a smile on my face during the hard time," he captioned another photo of him in the hospital with his brother by his side.
Kibet told TUKO.co.ke that he took to TikTok to share photos and videos, giving his followers a closer look into his hospitalization journey.
His online community on the platform quickly grew into a supportive family, sending him words of encouragement and well-wishes.
In a later update to his followers, Kibet revealed that his acute abdominal obstruction was caused by tuberculosis, which had gone undiagnosed for some time.
The major surgery he underwent involved the removal of a part of his intestines, and another significant surgery is scheduled for September 2023 to return the removed portion.
Kibet spreads awareness about taking health concerns seriously
Despite facing moments of loneliness and challenges during his hospitalisation, Kibet continued to spread awareness about the importance of taking health concerns seriously.
"Loneliness sometimes overcomes the fighting spirit," he captioned another video.
He cautioned his followers against self-treatment with over-the-counter medicine and urged them to seek medical attention when needed.
Throughout his stay at the Abeer Medical Centre, Kibet's friends also visited him, further uplifting his spirits during his recovery.
Despite the hurdles, he managed to add some weight and regain some strength, which offered him glimmers of hope for the future.
"A kind reminder, avoid over-the-counter medicine and ignorance when you feel sick, visit a hospital. My ignorance caused me to be here today," he said.
As the date for his life-saving surgery approaches, Kibet's TikTok family continues to rally behind him, sending him messages of hope and support.
His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of early medical intervention and the strength that can be found in the online community.
Ailing Kenyan woman stuck in Saudi Arabia
Elsewhere, a family in Kisii appealed to Kenyans to help them raise funds that will be used to fly back their sick kin who is stuck in Saudi Arabia.
Annet Makini went to Saudi Arabia through a job agency last year in August after failing to secure a job in Kenya.
According to her cousin Machuki Caroline who spoke to TUKO.co.ke, Makini travelled to the middle east country without telling anyone in their extended family since she is an orphan.
Machuki said that after Makini gave birth, she left home, claiming that she was going to stay with a friend, and that was how she ended up in Saudi Arabia without their knowledge.
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