THT Impact: Bajura minors begin treatment in Kathmandu
BAJURA: Treatment has begun in the capital city for a Bajura minor, who suffering from an unknown infection, had remained untreated for years due to his family’s economic condition.
Govinda Sarki, 15, from the Dalit community in Kolti, Budhinanda Municipality-2 of Bajura district, contracted infection in his legs, the cause of which remained unknown. Govinda, who belongs to a haliya family, had been living with the ailment for about 10 years as his family was unable to afford his treatment.
Raghu Sarki, Govinda's father, lamented that if he did not work in the fields, he would not be able to bring food to his house. In such a circumstance, when they could barely manage two-square meals, carrying out the child’s treatment was nearly impossible.
After the news on his condition was published in The Himalayan Times on June 29, support started pouring in, as a result of which Govinda's treatment has begun in Kathmandu.
Nepal Healthcare Equipment Development Foundation (NHEDF), after publication of the news, brought Govinda to Kathmandu and began his treatment, shared chair of the organisation, Samrat Singh Basnet.
Basnet said that the organisation would arrange the fund for Govinda's living and treatment expenses in Kathmandu. Govinda is receiving treatment in Nepal Medical College. He is being looked after by surgeons, orthopaedic expert and dermatologist. Basnet said that Govinda's diagnosis would take some time especially because he has been suffering from the ailment for a very long time. Reports of medical examination are awaited.
Meanwhile, as the family came under public attention, Govinda's 10-year-old younger brother Ramlal Sarki's condition also came to light, which had not been covered in the earlier news. Turns out, Ramlal has also been suffering from a health condition and requires an exstrophy repair surgery, according to NHEDF. The procedure is a reconstruction surgery to repair a birth defect in which the bladder grows outside the abdominal wall. Ramlal too has been brough to Kathmandu for treatment along with his brother.
Basnet further informed that as the treatment requires at least five surgeries, more than Rs 1 million is needed for his treatment. He said that according to what the doctors say, if the treatment is not carried out soon, the child will develop a risk of cancer. The doctors are consulting other experts after which a conclusion would be reached regarding his treatment procedure.
According to deputy mayor of Budhinanda Municipality, Shristi Regmi, efforts are going on to collect fund for the children's treatment from various sectors.
Funds have so far been collected from different sources inside as well as outside the country. A sum of around Rs 185,500 has been collected including institutional and individual contributions. Rs 50,000 has been contributed by Bajura District Child Welfare Committee, Rs 30,000 by Budhinanda Municipality, Rs 20,000 by Chhetrapati Nishulka Chikitsalaya, Rs 10,000 by PeaceWin Bajura and the remaining amount from various individuals.
The collected funds have been deposited in the Banijya Bank account of the children's father. Fund collection for the boys' treatment has also begun in America, as informed by Man Lal Jaishi, who is currently living there.
READ ALSO:
