Woman with 60kg leg at DMCH appeals for help

The Sylhet woman, believed to have been suffering from a medical condition ‘elephantiasis’, is losing last ray of hopes to return to normal life as her family finds it almost difficult to bear the expenses of her treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

Forty-year-old Rizia Begum, wife of a poor farmer in Sylhet’s Osmaninagar, has been suffering from the condition over the last 18 years. It was when she gave birth to her second daughter that she noticed something was wrong.

Rizia’s condition has led her right leg appear to be a side pillow and it takes at least three people to move her.

Abdul Malek, husband of Rezia, told The Daily Star today that he has already spent all of his savings for the victim’s medical tests as she has been undergoing treatment at the burn and plastic surgery unit of the DMCH since August 22.

“Doctors have asked me to manage 13 bags of blood (B+). But I have been able to manage six bags at the cost of Tk 7,000,” he said adding, “Now I have nothing left.”

Doctors fixed September 24 to conduct the patient’s first surgery on her abnormally swelled up right leg, said Dr Samanta Lal Sen, national coordinator of burn and plastic surgery unit of the DMCH.

“A nine-member medical board has been formed to assess and continue Rizia’s treatment,” Dr Samanta told The Daily Star this evening.

“We will try to do our best to facilitate her treatment,” the doctor assured.