Govindpaly: A disease that caused abnormal growth of a ten-year-old boy’s head has rendered life worthless for the family in Daiguda village under Mathili block in Malkangiri district.
While children of his age are going to schools and are happy playing, this boy, named Shankar is confined to his mother lap.
Nilam and Parbati the parents of the boy were jubilant after being blessed with a son. As they worshipped Lord Shiva to bless them with a son, they named him Shankar after Lord Shiva and after this illness they are distasted with life.
Few months after his birth, Nilam and Parbati noticed Shankar’s head. Seeing his condition accelerating, Nilam who is a coolie by profession and his wife were demented on how to get their son treated.
However, mustering all the courage that they could afford, the son was taken to Mathili medical where the doctors advised him to take his son to SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Shankar’s suffering had to be taken up with the district administration, as that was the only way they could treat their son. Rs 5000 was released for his treatment and with this money, family members took Shankar to SCB Hospital.
Shankar underwent treatment for a fortnight however even after the treatment the condition aggravated. The growth has since been increasing rather rapidly. His condition worsened and as of now he has lost one of his eyes.
“Now we have left everything at the mercy of the god. We have no money to treat our son. We have resorted to an ayurvedic practitioner in the village.” the disheartened parents adding said, “Without help, it is impossible on our part to get our son treated.”
When contacted, Dr Golak Chhatri termed the disease as ‘hydrocephalus’, saying in this disease cerebrospinal fluid gets accumulated in brain, leading to abnormal growth of head and the veins getting weaker. This condition has now damaged one of his eyes. If delayed more, possibility of other organs getting damaged is high,” he added.
He also assured that he would see how his treatment would start at the district headquarters hospital and personally discuss with the CDMO for his better treatment.
PNN