DUBAI: Dubai resident Arshad Malik is seeking help from UAE residents for his child’s treatment. Malik’s eight-year-old son Azan was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass last August. “He would lose balance and just fall,” said Malik as he recalled the first few incidents, which have now got much worse.
The young boy who hasn’t been able to walk without support for the last two months, has been referred to undergo a stem cell therapy at a hospital in India’s Mumbai.
According to Malik, the cost of the eight-day therapy is likely to be around Dh37,000, but unfortunately he has managed to save just about Dh6,000.
“I earn Dh3,000 monthly. How can I support a family and afford the costly treatment,” said the father of two.
The disease that affects just one in 3,500 male births is known to be fatal if not treated immediately. “As a parent it is very difficult to see your child’s condition worsen day after day. The last few weeks have been heart-reaking for me and my wife,” said the Pakistani expat.
“I wish to see my son walk and run just like the boys of his age,” he added, holding back tears.
Malik works at a media company in Dubai and resides in the Hor Al Anz area while his wife and kids live in Pakistan..
If you wish to help Arshad Malik, please contact the editor at editor@xpress4me.com
