Legendary Tanzanian rapper Joseph Haule alias Professor Jay has been discharged from the hospital five months after he was admitted in critical condition.
Professor Jay’s situation was first highlighted by rapper Ambwene Yessayah aka AY who took to social media to appeal to Tanzanians to raise money for the rapper’s treatment.
AY said that the ailing Bongo rapper was in need of financial support because his family was spending Tsh4 million/Ksh200,000 a week on his medical expenses.
“The family is yet to formally ask for help in this matter. But it is our responsibility to help because he is our colleague and one of us having entertained us for more than two decades,” AY said in part.
US-based Tanzanian blogger Mange Kimambi claimed the veteran musician was admitted to the hospital after he suffered kidney failure and High Blood Pressure (HBP).
It was also reported that Professor Jay’s condition became worse after he allegedly contracted Coronavirus. His family did not confirm or deny the allegation.
Professor Jay was first admitted to Lugano Hospital in January 2022 before he was transferred to Muhimbili hospital due to the severity of his condition.
The musician-turned-politician underwent dialysis at Muhimbili National Hospital as doctors assessed if needed a kidney transplant.
Memory loss
The former Mikumi MP spoke about his condition on February 20, when Parliamentary Committee on Social Services and Development visited him in the hospital to check on him.
“Ninajisikia vizuri sasa tofauti na mwanzo, nakula mwenyewe na ninakaa. Msijali kila kitu kitakua sawa. Mniombee. (I feel better now than before, I eat myself and I stay. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Pray for me),” Professor Jay told the parliamentary committee that visited him in hospital.
Diamond Platnumz’s manager and Morogoro South-East constituency MP Babu Tale (real name Shabani Hamisi Taletale) was among lawmakers who visited Professor Jay in hospital. He rubbished claims the sick rapper had suffered memory loss.
“Hali ya Prof J imeendelea kuimarika na hivi sasa anaendelea vizuri na ametutambua wote kwa majina, tupuuzie maneno yanayozushwa mitandaoni (Prof J’s condition has improved and he is now doing well and he has identified us all by name, let’s not ignore the rumours that are being spread online),” said Babu Tale.
Professor Jay discharged
The veteran rapper ultimately was discharged from the hospital on Friday, June 11, 2022, after his condition improved.
“Anaongea, akili yake iko asilimia 100 na hamna kitu ambacho amesahau na hata wewe ukitokea nina uhakika anaweza kukumbuka kwamba mmeshawahi kukutana, yuko very fine kwenye sekta hiyo, (He [Professor Jay] can speak, his brain is functioning 100 per cent normal. He has not forgotten anything he can still remember everyone. He has a sharp memory)," Professor Jay's wife told media.
Professor Jay's family however refused to disclose exactly what the rapper is suffering from that saw him hospitalized from late January to early June 2022.
"Kuhusu Prof. Jay anaugua nini, maradhi ni privacy ya mgonjwa na tunaheshimu privacy yake kwa sasa hivi tuheshimu privacy yake hatuwezi kuzungumzia maradhi ya Mtu tunakuwa tunakiuka utu na ethics za mgonjwa, siku akiimarika kabisa akiamua kusema alikuwa anaumwa nini ni sawa lakini kwa sasa tuache kama ilivyo"
(I can't say what Prof. Jay is suffering from because I respect his privacy. Right now we can not talk about his illness because we will be violating his right to privacy. The day he will fully recover he can talk about what ailed him if he decides to)," Professor Jay's younger brother Black Rhyno who is also the family spokesperson told journalists.
