A survivor of the June 3 fire and flood disaster, Kasim Suraj has ventured into rearing of birds and other animals to cater for himself and his family.
The 40-year-old victim had been a driver for close to 15 years when the disaster struck. He lost his wife in the twin disaster
He suffered about 60 per cent total surface burns with inhalation injury.
Speaking to 3news.com he recounted the number of surgeries he had done within 5 years.
“I have been operated on for 20 times, but I’m still not ok, all the bones in my skull were burnt following the disaster, my eye was also badly affected, I lost my sight after the incident but now I have regained it but doctors say I need to do further surgery on my head.”
Occasionally Kasim feels pain in his head and left eye and unable to go out frequently. Due to financial challenges, he is unable to go for medical review as he ought to, a development that is impacting negatively on his health.
“As we speak right now, I am not ok, I cannot go for my review as frequently as I have to because I don’t have money,” he lamented. Having used all the compensation he received to offset his medical bills and other expenses, he is struggling to cater for himself and family.
Help finally came in from a media organisation and he was able to venture into the rearing of birds and other animals as well as the cultivation of vegetables and cassava.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic hit him hard.
“During the partial lockdown, I went out to buy feed for my birds, but I had a minor accident and was admitted at the hospital during that period I lost 80 of my birds, it was a major blow for me”
Kasim currently does not have an incubator for his poultry farm and depends on friends for one.
Doctors say kasim is still not well and would require further hair transplant surgeries to enable him get back to his normal life.
But financial constraints remain a major hurdle and he is appealing for public support.
By Joycelyn Wood | 3news.com