Why Tanzanian Rapper Professor Jay was in ICU for four months
Tanzanian rapper and former Member of Parliament, Joseph Haule, better known as Professor Jay, has shared the harrowing details of his life-threatening health battles during his lengthy hospitalization.
The iconic artist had been undergoing treatment for several months, including a stint in the intensive care unit (ICU), as he grappled with a multitude of health issues.
Among the ailments he faced were high blood pressure and a battle against the coronavirus (Covid-19).
Additionally, Professor Jay endured the challenges of kidney problems that necessitated dialysis.
Prof Jay resurfaced online in May 2023 after a long illness.
In a candid interview with Clouds TV, Professor Jay disclosed the root of his health struggles, pinpointing liver-related issues as the core concern.
He vividly described the moment when the situation took a dire turn, rendering him incapable of breathing, leading to his admission to the intensive care unit.
“Although diseases are said to be lessons, people do die a lot. For me, having spent 127 days in the ICU, you know, the conditions in the ICU are very dire. Finding yourself in the ICU and surviving for 127 days is no small matter,” he stated.
The rapper expressed his gratitude for emerging from this challenging chapter of his life and unveiled his plans to establish a foundation aimed at assisting people battling liver problems.
“People suffer a lot, and many die; that’s why I said I should start my foundation with a focus on kidney issues,” he added.
Professor Jay shed light on the considerable financial burden that accompanied his treatment, as he received two injections daily.
He said each cost about 5 million Tanzanian shillings (Ksh 302,700).
“There was an injection that I used to take for five million Tanzanian shillings in the morning and evening. That injection is what woke me up. I used to get injected five times a week, which amounted to twenty-five million. I took ten injections in one week, totaling fifty million. That’s just the injection cost; in addition, kidney cleaning (dialysis), it starts at one hundred eighty thousand for a patient at Muhimbili. If you’re an outpatient, it’s three hundred fifty thousand. That’s per session, and you need to undergo it up to four times a week, depending on your condition.”
Professor Jay explained that during dialysis, his throat had to be surgically opened to remove a blockage.
“The worst time was when I could not breathe. The doctors had to cut open my throat because my lungs were dirty. It was all God’s plan; my entire body was filled with pipes. My family initially hesitated because I use my voice for music, but the doctors made it clear that it was a life-saving measure. My most joyous moment was when I regained consciousness and found my wife by my side, with my family there as well.”
