Araf is only six years old, but has already experienced more pain in his short life than most people experience in a lifetime. He was born with a tumor at the base of his spinal cord. As a result, he was regularly ill and his parents often had to take him to the doctor.
When he was three years old, his violent father, who was overwhelmed by the burden of Araf's illness, left the family. "He was an alcoholic and beat me and Araf whenever he could," said Sazia, Araf's mother.
Sazia was on her own and had to look after her sick son. She returned to her own parents. She lives in Rajabazar, not far from Calcutta Rescue's Talapark clinic. Sazia's father is a driver and earns a maximum of 500 rupees a day. Sazia sometimes works as a domestic help. "But I can't do that for long because I have to look after my son," said Sazia.
As she could not afford the cost of Araf's medical examinations, her neighbors advised her to take the child to the state hospital.
"I went to state hospitals because I had heard that the examinations there were very inexpensive," said Sazia. And that is true. But she didn't know that state hospitals are also always overcrowded with patients and often lack the necessary equipment.
The doctors at the government hospital referred her to Calcutta Rescue. At the beginning of July, Araf became a patient at CR's Talapark Clinic. And his examination began.
After a few days, Araf started vomiting, ran a high temperature and had convulsions. Sazia tried to look after the child herself, but no medicine helped.
"I asked Calcutta Rescue for help because I didn't know what else to do," said Sazia.
"When I heard that the child was suffering from convulsions, I had a bad feeling," said Dr. Ghosh, the medical director of Calcutta Rescue.
Fortunately, Calcutta Rescue is collaborating with the Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI), one of the best hospitals in Kolkata, where the poorest of the poor patients of Calcutta Rescue can now be treated free of cost. The collaboration was made possible by Calcutta Rescue's benefactor and loyal supporter, Mr. Samindra Roy.
"On May 30, we got our vehicle, drove to Araf's house and took him to the CMRI hospital for a check-up," said Partha, the head of Calcutta Rescue's Nimtala clinic and the man who handles all CMRI admissions.
The doctors listened to all of Araf's symptoms. As an operation on his spinal tumor could be risky, they gave him oral medication and Araf recovered. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. But only for a short time.
On the evening of July 5, 2024, Araf's condition took a terrible turn. His little body was overcome by violent vomiting, blood was involved and convulsions shook him to the core. His fever rose to a dangerous 39.4 °C.
He was immediately taken back to CMRI Hospital where tests revealed that he was suffering from meningo meningitis, a devastating infection that attacks the brain and spinal cord. He had to undergo surgery to remove the tumor. As Araf was a six-year-old child, the doctors were concerned about the operation. But when they saw how much the child was suffering, they went ahead with the operation," said Partha, who accompanied him.
The tests showed that he needed a blood transfusion and two Calcutta Rescue employees donated blood. After his condition stabilized, the operation was successfully performed. The child is now recovering. He visits the hospital with Partha for his routine follow-ups.
Sazia is on the verge of tears. "Once I had almost lost all hope. If Partha hadn't been here and Sourav there and Akash there hadn't donated blood immediately, I don't know what would have happened."
"Actually, Araf deserves all the credit. He is such a strong child who has not given up. And I am inspired when I see him fighting for his life." Partha said, "I am thankful to my colleagues Sourav and Akash for donating blood for him."
We all wish Araf a speedy recovery. Calcutta Rescue thanks the CMRI and Mr. Samindra Ray for their help in saving a child's life.