For the past 11 years, Ramesh has been plagued by a rare skin disorder that has transformed him into a motionless statue, rendering him unable to walk or speak. The emergence of unsightly scabs on Ramesh’s body caused the other children to regard him with fear, leading to his isolation and a lack of friends. Frustrated by the absence of a cure, Ramesh’s parents felt helpless as they witnessed their son slowly deteriorate into a petrified state over time.
According to Nanda, Ramesh’s father, Ramesh’s skin began peeling when he was only 15 days old, and over time, it gradually thickened. Eventually, his skin started to harden and turn black, but Ramesh’s parents were unsure of how to help their son as no one seemed to have any answers.
When Ramesh’s parents mentioned to the doctors in Baglung, a remote area in Nepal, that they thought he might be infected with a type of fungus, the doctors seemed surprised. Unfortunately, they were unable to provide any treatment for Ramesh. As time went on, Ramesh’s illness became increasingly severe, causing him significant pain.
According to Mr. Nanda, on Ramesh’s 5th birthday, he confided in them about his inability to walk due to pain. From that point on, Ramesh struggled to communicate clearly with his parents. “Ramesh can only signal to us when he is hungry or needs to use the bathroom. He sits and cries, but we don’t understand why he cries or how to assist him. Any child who sees Ramesh crying turns away and runs off. It’s difficult to come to terms with this,” Mr. Nanda shared in a pained tone.
When Ramesh turned 6 years old, his illness worsened, rendering him unable to walk and preventing him from attending school. Even after Ramesh’s parents discovered the scientific name of their son’s extremely rare disease, Ichthyosis, they were powerless to relieve his suffering. A heartbreaking situation indeed.
Mr. Nanda, with a modest monthly income of 7,000 Nepali Rupees (equivalent to 1 million VND), finds himself unable to afford the expensive medical treatments available at private hospitals that are equipped with all the necessary facilities. As a result, he had no choice but to leave his son, Ramesh, at home without the much-needed assistance.
Fortunately, there was a twist of fate that brought unexpected help to Ramesh’s life. British singer Joss Stone caught wind of his difficult situation and decided to lend a helping hand. Through the power of social media, a video showcasing Ramesh’s struggles with his illness was shared, catching the attention of renowned Nepali singer Sanjay Shrestha. Touched by Ramesh’s story, Sanjay Shrestha promptly organized a charity concert to raise funds from kind-hearted individuals in the community.
The concert took place in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, and managed to raise £1,375 (equivalent to 35 million VND) to assist in Ramesh’s treatment. This support was incredibly meaningful and fortunate for both Ramesh’s parents and their entire family.
Currently, Ramesh is receiving treatment at Kathmandu Medical College, and the medical professionals are optimistic about improving the quality of life for the young boy.
According to Dr. Sabina Bhattrai, an assistant professor specializing in dermatology, individuals with this particular ailment often experience the presence of dry, thick, scaly, or peeling skin. In many instances, the cracking of the skin leads to discomfort for the patient. Unfortunately, Ramesh’s condition was so severe that he had to be hospitalized, resulting in the removal of patches of skin from his body, an incredibly painful procedure.
For approximately two weeks, doctors administered antibiotics to Ramesh in order to prevent any potential infections. Additionally, they provided him with medications and moisturizers to eliminate dead skin. However, due to his delayed admission to the hospital and the prolonged duration of his condition, Ramesh’s overall state seemed to be extremely dire and he was unable to walk.
However, the young boy’s bones and muscles are not weak, so physicians can attempt to assist Ramesh in standing up through physical therapy. This situation made Nanda feel guilty that he was unable to do something sooner.
It’s not just Ramesh, but in Vietnam, there are also unfortunate individuals suffering from dangerous skin diseases. A case in point is Nguyen Dinh Ky, who was born in 2000 in Thieu Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province, and is currently dealing with pustular psoriasis.
I constantly find myself dealing with unpleasant and extremely uncomfortable pus stains. Despite seeking treatment in numerous locations and depleting all of her family’s resources, Ky’s condition remains unchanged. Each day, my skin continuously peels off, causing me significant pain.