Source: thehindu.com
When schools reopen on June 12, young Kova Bheem Rao is less likely to attend classes like other children of his age from this nondescript Adivasi habitation in Utnoor mandal of Adilabad district. He has already lost one year of school owing to a mysterious lump on his right ear and the vexatious mood of his father, Ramu, indicates that the boy would be sent out to graze cattle rather than attend school at nearby Chanduri.
The 11-year-old was rejected admission in class VII in Utnoor Ashram School last year because of the lump on his ear. “The headmaster told us to get the outgrowth removed if the child is to be admitted in the school,” recalled Mr. Ramu as he began his tale of woes.
Bheem Rao was subsequently taken to RIMS Hospital, Adilabad, where the doctors did not give a conclusive opinion on the nature of the lump leave alone treating it. “We spent 20 days at the hospital and as a result, lost all cotton and jowar crop, while our cattle had to suffer for lack of tending,” he pointed out.
On being admitted to the hospital for the second time, the patient was referred to vascular surgeon at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, by the RIMS doctors on April 19 this year. The referral card, which mentions the lump as swelling over preauricular region since birth, suggested treatment for hemangioma.
Deputy District Medical and Health Officer Vasanth Rao and Additional DMHO (Agency) Thodasam Chandu opined that a biopsy of the diseased part was needed to conclusively diagnose the problem. It may eventually require a surgery to remove the lump, they added.
The prolonged suspense over the diagnosis and treatment of the problem and the loss of crop in his six acres of land has left the Adivasi Raj Gond farmer disillusioned. He, at first, refused to get his child treated or send him to school fearing it would result in the loss of crop for the second successive year.
Mr. Ramu has now resorted to herbal treatment which, the doctors assert, could lead to further complications. The situation could also worsen as Bheem Rao has developed a lump on his left year too and it has enlarged to an inch within a year.