Indians and Pakistanis prove better than their governments

Mumbai - Hundreds of Mumbai residents are raising funds to ensure an ailing Karachi girl gets treatment at a local hospital.

While top Indian and Pakistani politicians are engaged in a verbal battle over the failed security talks, hundreds of Mumbai residents are raising funds to ensure an ailing Karachi girl gets treatment at a local hospital.
Saba Ahmed, a 15-year-old Pakistani girl suffering from a rare genetic disorder, Wilson's disease, flew into Mumbai on Monday and was re-admitted to the Jaslok Hospital for treatment. Donors contributed Rs273,000 to ensure that she could pursue her treatment.
Shabia Walia, an activist, who had organised the crowd-funding for the hapless Karachi teenager, told Khaleej Times on Tuesday that she was confident that the target of Rs1 million - needed for Saba's three-month stay and treatment at Jaslok - would be met over the next few days.
"We've had an overwhelming response since we launched the online fund-raising drive on Independence Day," said Walia. "In fact, after Saba was admitted to Jaslok, people have been coming forward with cheques to ensure her treatment."
Saba first came to Mumbai in April along with her mother Nazia - a single parent - for treatment of the rare disorder. She was treated at the hospital and recovered gradually. But Nazia wanted to return home with her daughter as their 60-day visa was expiring in June. Doctors had advised her to stay for a few more weeks and continue with the treatment.
In April, Walia's Bluebells Community, an NGO, had raised about Rs700,000 to help with the treatment as Nazia had less than Rs100,000 when she landed in Mumbai.
Saba is under the care of Dr Aabha Nagral, the consultant gastroenterologist and liver specialist at the premier Mumbai hospital. According to Nagral, patients suffering from the genetic disorder suffer because copper accumulates in their liver and brain. However, they can lead a normal life if they take medicines regularly.
But since Nazia's visa was expiring she returned to Karachi in June. Her condition, however, deteriorated and by August a worried Nazia once again decided to bring her daughter back to Jaslok. The hospital said it would cost about Rs1 million for the three-month treatment.
But she had run out of cash and once again appealed for funds. Walia then launched a crowd-funding initiative on Bitgiving, India's social crowd-funding platform, which helps individuals and organisations raise funds online. She used the tag SaveSaba and launched the drive on Independence Day.
The response this time too was unexpected as residents from Mumbai and across India sent in money for the treatment of the teenager. About Rs700,000-plus needs to be raised now to ensure that Saba gets her treatment for the next three months at Jaslok.
Despite the recent fireworks between the two sub-continental neighbours, the activists are hopeful of raising the required funds for Saba's treatment.
"When I saw Saba at the airport on Monday, I was amazed by that lovely smile on her face," says Walia. "She recognised me and her face lit up, though she was weak and hungry."
Wilson's disease afflicts many children born out of consanguineous marriages. Nagral has been treating three of Saba's cousins for many years. Nazia had been referred to the doctor by her relatives, after their children recovered from the disorder.
nithin@khaleejtimes.com

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