The government would bear all costs for the treatment of Abul Bajandar, whose rare medical condition has earned him the nickname “tree man,” the health minister has said.
Mohammed Nasim gave the assurance in a press conference yesterday at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He also urged doctors to provide Abul the best treatment.
Abul, 26, has been suffering from an extremely rare genetic skin disorder called epidermodysplasia verruciform, which is also referred to as the “tree man disease,” an immune deficiency.
He is only the fifth reported person in the world to be suffering from the condition.
Dr Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator at DMCH burn institute, said the six-member medical board for Abul has already contacted with Dr Martin Cast, who has been researching the disorder for the past two decades at the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Centre of University of Southern California.
“Dr Martin asked us to send Abul’s blood and tissue for a biopsy test. World Health Organisation also agreed to cooperate with us. We hope to send Abul’s blood and tissue to the US soon,” Dr Samanta said.
Locally, tests are also being run at International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (ICDDRB) and Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, he added.
The course of treatment for Abul would be decided after the medical board further analyses the situation, Dr Samanta said.