Toddler with Tennis Ball-Sized Tumor in His Eye Needs Surgery Assistance in Indonesia's North Sumatera

GUNUNGSITOLI CITY, KOMPAS.com -  A toddler from a rural area in Indonesia has yet received intensive treatment despite he has a tennis ball-sized tumor growing from his right eye. 

Rudin Duha, who will turn three in October, has to deal with multiple fevers in a week. 

His parents, Markus Amabuula Duha and Siguni Sarumaha said that their child has been suffering from a tumor that is made up of blood vessels since he was about two months old. To remove the tumor, they said, there is no other way than a surgery. But, the family couldn't afford it. 

"Where does the money for my child's surgery come from? I do not have enough money and my wife does not work," said Markus at the dr. Thomsen Regional Hospital in Nias, North Sumatera on Wednesday, April 28.

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The source of income of the family who lives in Hilisao'otoniha village in Teluk Dalam district solely depends on Markus, a penniless farmer. They could not pay for the government universal's healthcare insurance program or BPJS Kesehatan.  

Regardless, BPJS Kesehatan, unfortunately, cannot cover the cost of surgery for their son. 

"I cannot even pay BPJS bills. I have debts everywhere and I cannot borrow more money since my ongoing debts have not been paid," Markus continued.

In 2018, a small lump appeared near the corner of Rudin's eye. His parents started looking for answers by getting a check-up in a hospital. The doctor then told them the scans revealed a tumor in their child’s eye.

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Markus and his wife then took Rudin to the dr Thomsen Nias Regional Hospital. However, doctors said their child needed to get treatment in larger hospitals in Medan city. 

"Rudin only received light treatment and was given a referral to be taken to Medan. Going to Medan would cost us a lot, not to mention the surgery and post-surgery costs that BPJS could not cover," Markus said.

Markus and Siguni hope their child can undergo surgery immediately so he can live a normal life. They are worried about Rudin's condition. The longer he is left untreated, the tumor in his eye will get more malignant.

"He often has fevers, many times in a week. We feel sorry for our son to suffer,"Markus said. 

(Writer: Nias Contributor, Hendrik Yanto Halawa | Editor: Aprillia Ika)

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/04/29/100049078/nasib-pilu-balita-rudin-duha-derita-tumor-mata-sebesar-bola-tenis-butuh