Finding words to a pulverised mouth

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Little Durjoy can now say ‘amma’ (mother).
Uttering this simple word by this twenty-eight-month-old boy could be considered a miracle since acid was poured down his throat when he was only 49 days of age!

Though his speech is still blurry, he can pronounce a few other words too.

Success story of this young boy was presented yesterday by Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) at its seminar room in the capital where Durjoy along with his parents appeared before journalists after his return from Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong.

This time, less external deformity caused by acid burn was visible on Durjoy’s body.

His oral cavity– which was almost melted — as well as his neck and chest were reconstructed through two complicated surgeries in the hospital, said, Dr Rebecca Milton, Manager of ASF Medical Unit.

On January 19, 2004, at remote village Azmirpur of Bagharpara upazila in Jessore, 49-day-old Durjoy’s aunt allegedly fed him acid.

After Durjoy received treatment in Jessore, Khulna and at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for over a year, British physician Dr Ron Hiles met Durjoy’s mother Eti Rani at DMCH in February 2006.

ASF then took over the responsibility of Durjoy’s treatment and sent him to Hong Kong for better treatment under its supervision.

Physicians in Hong Kong are hopeful that Durjoy will recover to a great extent if he is kept under constant observation, Dr Hiles said.

But he would have to undergo special treatment for quite a long time, because a number of his organs, which were severely damaged due to acid burn, will either have to be grafted or be developed through special treatment, she added.

All of that would be conducted after Durjoy grows up a little and his tissues become mature to undergo such treatment, she said adding, “Durjoy is now in his post-operative stage which is also very critical.”

“Durjoy still needs a feeding tube, which would hopefully be removed some time after six months. He is yet to be accustomed with swallow reflection that helps him swallow food and drink. He also needs continuous physiotherapy,” said Manira Rahman, executive director of ASF.

“That is why he should be kept in special arrangement which would require huge amount of money”, Manira said adding, “We would welcome all kinds of assistance from individuals or organisations.”

Durjoy’s parents Ashutosh Tarafdar and Eti Rani, SAM Showket Hossain, acting vice president of ASF, were also present at the programme.

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