Stricken father begged government for help; doctors plan surgery strategy
Doctors in Pakistan are battling to save a baby boy born with six legs due to a rare genetic disease.
The little boy was born last week to parents in Sukkur, a city in Sindh Province in southeastern Pakistan, and was being cared for by doctors at the National Institute of Child Health in Karachi, News.com.au reported.
Jamal Raza, the institute’s director, said the child had a conjoined twin, which was premature, resulting in the extra limbs.
“One of the babies is not fully developed, giving the present physical structure to the baby,” Raza told The News Tribe, a UK-based website that covers Asia and the Middle East.
The baby’s father, Imran Shaikh, pleaded with the government and charities to pay for the child’s surgery.
“I can’t afford to visit Karachi and get treatment for my baby,” Shaikh, an X-ray technician, said. “I appeal to philanthropists and the government to come forward for the treatment.”
Raza said the institute’s doctors were working on a plan for surgery, and were considering calling on foreign experts for help.
An expert told News.com.au that the condition afflicts just one in 1 million babies.