MAGURA, July 23: Suraiya, now a four-year- old girl, who had received bullet injury in her mother's womb, is growing up with physical disability and leading a miserable life.
During a visit to Suraiya's house in the Doharpar area in Magura town, her mother Nazma Begum told this correspondent, "Suraiya cannot walk normally as she is unable to keep balance of her body. She moves with the help of knees. Her right hand is paralysed. Consequently, she eats and holds things with the left hand."
"Her bullet-injured left eye has lost its vision power completely. Doctor has suggested removing the eye immediately, otherwise her right eye may also be affected", she added.
Suraiya's father Bacchu Bhuiyan said, "Doctor advised us to send Suraiya to the Shishu Bikash Kendra in Dhaka every month. But we are not in a position to follow the doctor's advice due to financial crisis. Moreover, at least Tk 2,000 is required every month for her medication."
On July 23, 2015, a gun fight had taken place between two rival groups in the area. At one stage, pregnant Nazma Begum was hit by a bullet. Later, bullet-hit Suraiya was born at a hospital through a critical surgery.
"A small tea stall is the only means of our earning. It is hard for us to meet up the expenditure of Suraiya's treatment", Nazma Begum lamented, adding, "After the birth of Suraiya, many people had visited her and assured us of taking all responsibilities including treatment and education of our girl. But the assurances have not come true."
Dr Shafiur Rahman, who performed the surgery of the bullet-hit Nazma Begum, said Suraiya would be able to lead a normal life if she gets a proper treatment.
