Araf is just six but has known more pain in his short life than most people endure in a lifetime. He was born with a tumour at the base of his spinal cord. This made him sick periodically and his parents often had to take him to the doctor often.
When he was three his abusive father, overwhelmed by the burden of Araf’sillness, abandoned the family. “He was an alcoholic and would beat me and Araf whenever he could.” said Sazia, Araf’s mother.
Left to fend for herself and her ailing son, Sazia went back to her own parents. She lives at Rajabazar not far from Calcutta Rescue’s Talapark clinic. Sazia’s father is a car driver earning some 500 rupees maximum per day. Sazia sometimes works as a domestic help. “But I can’t continue for a long time because I need to take care of my son,” said Sazia.
Unable to pay for medical check-ups for Araf, her neighbours advised her to take the child to the government hospital.
“I went to government hospitals because I heard that check ups are done at a very minimal cost,” said Sazia. And it is true. But she did not know that government hospitals are also always crowded with patients and often lack the necessary equipment.
She was referred to Calcutta Rescue by the doctors of the government hospital. In the early July Araf became a patient of CR’s Talapark Clinic. And his checkup began.
After a few days, Araf began to vomit, developed a high fever and began having convulsions. Sazia tried to take care of the child herself but no medicine worked.
“I called Calcutta Rescue for help. because I did not know what else to do,” said Sazia.
“The moment I heard the child was suffering from convulsions, I had a bad feeling,” said Dr Ghosh, the head of medical at Calcutta Rescue.
“On 30th May, we got our vehicle, went to Araf’s home and took him to the CMRI hospital for a checkup.” said Partha, the supervisor of CR’s Nimtala Clinic and the man dealing with all the CMRI admissions.
The doctors listened to all of Araf’s symptoms. As surgery on his spinal tumour could be risky, they provided him with oral medication and Araf recovered. Everybody took a breath of relief. But it was for only a little time.
On the evening of 5th July 2024, Araf’s condition took a terrifying turn. His small body was overcome with violent vomiting, there was blood, and convulsions shook him to his core. His fever soared to a dangerous 103°F.
He was rushed back to the CMRI hospital, where tests revealed he was diagnosed with meningo meningitis, a devastating infection that attacks the brain and spinal cord. He needed surgery to remove the tumour.” Due to Araf being a six-years-old child, the doctors were worried about the operation. But seeing the child in so much pain, they started.” said Partha who accompanied him.
Tests showed he needed a blood transfusion and two Calcutta Rescue staff donated blood. After his condition was stabilised the operation was carried out successfully. The child is now recovering. He is visiting the hospital with Partha for his follow up routine checks.
Sazia is in tears. “At one point I had almost lost all hope. If Partha da was not here and Sourav da and Akash da did not donate blood immediately, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“Actually all the credit goes to Araf. He is such a strong child who did not give up. And I am inspired by seeing his fight for life.” Partha said, “I am thankful to my colleagues Sourav and Akash who donated blood for him.”
We all wish Araf a quick recovery. Calcutta Rescue thanks CMRI and Mr. Samindra Ray for helping to save the life of a child.
