Morbidly obese Brahmanbaria man needs your help to live

The fate of morbidly obese Makhon Mia hangs in the balance since he is unable to pay for the medical treatment he needs to survive. Makhon weights 300kg and lives in Mourail village in Brahmanbaria, which has limited access to the kind of medical care he needs. Morbid obesity is a serious health condition and can be defined as when an individual is 46kg above their ideal body weight and is experiencing obesity-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. The father-of-two experiences all of the above symptoms but has not been officially diagnosed because he cannot afford to go to a specialised hospital in Dhaka. “Sometimes when my pressure is high, I lose my appetite, but when it’s low I get so hungry I eat anything I can get my hands on and I’m still not full,” says Makhon. “Please help me, I want to live,” he pleaded. Former acting civil surgeon and Brahmanbaria Medical College Chairman Dr Md Abu Syeed said it was "absolutely unnatural" to weigh 300kg. "Makhon needs immediate medical attention from a neurologist and hormone specialist," he said. "Right now, we have to figure out how to prevent any further weight gain, and then figure out how to help him lose the weight. There is no way the family can afford to take him overseas for treatment." Makhon's father Milon Mia said that when his son began to pile on weight in 2001, no amount of physical exercise seemed to help, The eldest of seven siblings, Makhon got married to Luthfa Begum in 2003 and they have a son and daughter together. "My husband does not eat that much, considering his weight," Luthfa told the Dhaka Tribune. "His appetite is actually pretty small and he falls ill if he goes on a diet and still keeps putting on weight. He can’t work because of his weight. Even lying in bed or going to the bathroom is difficult." The family has received small amounts of help from relatives but Luthfa knows a longer term fix is needed. "This is why we are publicly seeking financial help to get him the medical care he needs to stay alive," she said. A fundraiser was organised by village authorities including Brahmanbaria Awami League Joint General Secretary Golam Mohiuddin Khan Khokon, former acting secretary Md Jamal Khan and former ward councillor Md Farua, but this alone could not raise sufficient funds for Makhon's treatment. A bank account was also opened last August under Luthfa Begum’s name at the main Brahmanbaria branch of Agrani Bank Limited. The account number for donations is 0200009642820. Anyone wishing to help Makhon and provide financial assistance can also send money to 01760311961.