Kandy Times

Little Ashfaq needs help

By Nadia Fazlulhaq and Isuri Kaviratne

He wanders around the house watching the other kids play and sing. But there is something that sets Ashfaq apart from other children. This lovely little boy has an unusual growth behind his head and due to its weight, he is forced to look up almost all the time.

Little Ashfaq

Mohamed Ashfaq is now five years old. Formation of the brain outside the skull is the rare condition that he has been diagnosed with and he needs to undergo urgent brain surgery.

"He has had this from birth. We consulted late Dr. Dhammika Jayawickrama of the Kandy Hospital and were advised that he should undergo brain surgery. But the doctor said that there was much risk when it's done in Sri Lanka. That was when our son was a newborn. Today he is five years old and we want to do this surgery even in India immediately," says Ashfaq's father Ayub Khan.

His parents took Ashfaq to India and Dr. Krishnamurthy Sridhar of Malar Hospital had advised that the operation should be done when the child was three years. But lack of funds forced them to postpone the operation.

Ashfaq has a younger sister Farah who is one-year-old. She holds her brother's hand and tries to walk. Both giggle and laugh as they play in their own imaginary world.

"He understands what we say and do, and loves to dance when he hears songs. Though he is at an age to attend school we haven't decided on studies or anything else until the operation is performed," says Fazilah, Ashfaq's mother.

The income Ayub Khan earns as a small businessman, though sufficient for the family's daily needs is insufficient for the operation which is estimated to cost around Rs.1.3 million.

"The Presidential Fund granted a sum of Rs.250, 000 and it brought hopes of trying hard to get our son cured," said Ayub Khan as his eyes fill with tears.

Ashfaq's parents are hoping against hope that generous donors would help financially to cover the expenses for the surgery. Donations could be made to A/C 80 400 38 357 at the Commercial Bank, Kandy branch.Ashfaq and his family lives at 8A, Thelumgahawatte, Akurana, Kandy. Ayub Khan can be contacted at Tel.081-4926349.

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