THATTA, Nov 22: A seven-year-old boy in a village near Sujawal has been suffering from a strange ailment which has defied treatment so far.

The source of Rashid's torment is an abnormal outgrowth of tissue from one eye. One of the best hospitals in Karachi turned the boy away on grounds that no surgery was possible because the “outgrowth has its roots in the cerebellum”, making an operation extremely risky.

The child's agony was brought to light by Captain (retd) Anwaar, a revenue official in Sujawal taluka.

According to the official, “Rashid is going through a terrible time, the tumour keeps growing and flies are making life unbearable for him. “As children jeer at him, he avoids both school and games.”

Captain Anwaar appealed to the government as well as philanthropists to come to the aid of the child, who lives in Rahib Amro village, Sujawal taluka.

“The family is very poor; they have no money even to pay for his ointment. I plead for help to ensure treatment for Rashid,” he said in a letter addressed to “all compassionate individuals”.

Captain Anwaar's cell number is 03337128104.