Nathakorn’s parents Pradit Ootun and Phanida
Sae-Chua are too poor to pay hospital bills, so they try to tend to him
with over-the-counter medication and home remedies.
Patcharapol Panrak
A second child has been found in Sattahip suffering
from “elephant man” syndrome, but, unlike his older neighbor,
16-month-old “Nong Game” may not find a savior in time to save his life.
Nathakorn Sae-Chua, just 16 months old, was
hospitalized Jan. 5 after his condition worsened. Suffering from
hydrocephalus since birth, the toddler’s 68 cm. skull has become
infected with pressure ulcers and the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid is
causing headaches and blindness.
Sattahip District Chief Chaichan Iamcharoen, his wife
Nitaya and Sattahip Sub-district President Radjai Banthisilp visited the
stricken child at Sattahip Km. 10 Hospital, offering cash and gifts to
support “Nong Game,” the second hydrocephalus case to come to light in
the past month. The media and residents took public officials to task
after the first case, claiming they didn’t offer enough support.
In that case, 31-month-old Nopakorn Oumprasert had
been sent home more than a year ago by Km. 10 hospital doctors, telling
parents Amporn and Pramod Oumprasert that they should accept their child
was going to die, despite the fact treatment for “water on the brain”
exists.
Like the Oumpraserts, Nathakorn’s parents Pradit
Ootun and Phanida Sae-Chua are too poor to pay hospital bills. Pradit,
43, is a construction worker while Phanida stays home to tend to “Nong
Game” and his healthy twin brother Nathakit.
Living just two kilometers from the Oumpraserts,
Nathakorn’s parents also appealed to the media, hoping publicity might
bring them a benefactor, as was the case for Nopakorn.
American doctor Howard Resnick, 73, came forward Dec.
30 to place Nopakorn in Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and cover all treatment
costs. Resnick, a professor at Rajamangala University of Technology
Krung Thep, said he didn’t understand Thai doctors’ decision to let the
child die, as there is a treatment method - albeit a very expensive one
- for hydrocephalus. In a surgical procedure, doctors implant internal
cerebral shunts to continually drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.
Nathakorn’s condition is exacerbated not only by his
age, but the infected ulcers on his scalp. His parents said the child
spends his days in his room in a run-down home on Soi Sattahip Sukhumvit
45. Because his skull weighs 10 kg., the child cannot lift it and he is
too heavy to hold for long periods, Pradit said.
The baby had been hospitalized for four months at
Sattahip Km. 10. But after doctors drilled holes in the child’s skull to
drain the fluid, they sent him home, saying nothing more could be done.
Since then, Nathakorn’s parents have tended to him with over-the-counter
medication and home remedies.
Chaichan said he has ordered authorities to tend to
the cases of both hydrocephalus boys. However, more donations are needed
for the little one.
Those interested in helping can donate to Nathakorn’s
account at Thanachart Bank, account number 404-2-15662-5 or call
088-886-0192.
