Child requires medical attention
(Monday, August 08, 2005)

THE family of a 12-year-old boy suffering from a rare disease has pleaded for assistance to help him grow up normally as a child.

Abdul Amiz Khan of Yasiyasi in Tavua was diagnosed with hydroaphalus when he was nine-months-old.

Since then, Abdul has been bed-ridden and deprived of necessary medical attention because his parents cannot afford the service.

Abdul's father, Abdul Azim Khan, is a cane cutter while his mother, Latchmi Devi, stays at home to provide full-time care for the child.

Abdul continues to lose strength.

His mother, Ms Devi, said Abdul cannot sit up by himself and had to be carried around the place because he could not walk.

Ms Devi said even though she had no experience in medicine, she was responsible for his care because they could not afford to take Abdul to a doctor.

"We want to take him to a doctor but he cannot be taken to town even though he has a wheelchair. If he sits up for a while, his back begins to pain," she said.

FROM: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=26231