Amidst Sena's anti-Pak stand, Mumbaikars crowdfund Karachi girl's treatment
13 Oct 2015 5:49 PM IST
Indians raised funds for 15-year-old Pakistani girl who suffers from Wilson's disease
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Mumbai: At a time when the ruling BJP's ally Shiv Sena in Maharashtra is vehemently protesting against any Pakistan related event in the state and Shiv Sainiks were busy threatening and blackening the face of Sudheendra Kulkarni in Mumbai, a Pakistani family was readying to leave the city with warm memories of their stay owing to the goodwill of Mumbaikars.
15-year old Karachi resident Saba Tariq Ahmed came to Mumbai with her mother to undergo treatment for Wilson's disease at Mumbai's Jaslok hospital, after some Indians raised close to Rs13 lakhs to help save her life, according to reports. Two Indians, Jayesh Vora and Mehul Doshi, donated 200,000 rupees from their own pockets to Saba's family for her treatment.
Wilson's disease is a rare genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in tissues, leading to neurological complications and liver disease, the posionous copper that accumulates in the body needs to be removed and the physiotherapy drugs needed to cure the disorder are very expensive. Doctors at the Jaslok hospital said that Saba left for Karachi with her mother on Monday after a 49 day visit and were extremely happy as the treatment worked well on her this time.
It's not the first time that Indian citizens came forward to help young Saba battle her disorder, earlier this year in April, a NGO called Blue Bells Commnity raised Rs 7 lakh from Mumbaikars to pay for her treatment. But unfortunately Saba did not respond well to the "regularly prescribed medicines for Wilson's disease" according to liver specialist, Dr Aabha Nagral, who has been treating the teen.
Saba needed to undergo a change of medication and physiotherapy sessions if she was to recover but the costs were beyond affordable for the family. The alternative medicine is not freely available in either India or Pakistan. The teen's condition thus began to decline alarmingly and that is when more Indians contibuted to help her.
"When Saba's condition started worsening on her return to Karachi in May, Nazia (Saba's mother) contacted me, seeking help," said Shabia Walia of Bluebells Community.
The NGO began working to spread Saba's story to get funds and thus started the online crowdfunding initiative on India's Independence Day to help cover Saba's three month treatment that would cost Rs 10 lakh. Bluebells Community managed to catch the attention of an American NGO called Rachel and Drew Katz Foundation which contributed Rs 4 lakh and a London-based NGO promised to supply the medicines free of cost.
Saba was weak and wheelchair-bound when volunteers received her at the Mumbai airport in August, the trecherous disease had stolen her power of speech and caused abnormal involuntary movements, but there was hope now for her recovery.
"But we started her on physiotherapy as well as the alternative drug, Trientine (which helps remove copper accumulation from the body,'' said Dr Nagral.
Procuring the drug had been a mean task as it is not manufactured in India and 100 capsules cost Rs 84,000.
Saba's mother Nazia had been warned that their stay in India would not be a bed of roses, but the mother was glad and filled with gratitude when her fears did not come true.
"Nazia said Mumbai had been full of warmth and happiness for her and her daughter,'' said Dr Nagral.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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