A Pakistani man with an enormous tumour that covers half his face is set to undergo life-changing surgery.
Ghulam Hyder has neurofibromatosis – the umbrella term for a group of genetic conditions that cause lumps to grow along nerves.
Cruel children complained they were scared of him because of the unsightly growth, causing him to drop out of school when he was just eight.
The massive tumour, while benign, has become so severe that it eclipses the right hand side of his face, including his eye.
But a kind-hearted social worker, who saw his plight online, has stepped in to try and raise funds for Hyder to have the tumour removed.
Hyder, 32, told local reporters: ‘I can’t see with my right eye because the mass has grown this huge and covers half of my face.’
Ghulam Hyder has neurofibromatosis – the umbrella term for a group of genetic conditions that cause lumps to grow along nerves
Hyder, from Nawabshah in Pakistan’s Sindh province, added: ‘I also face great difficulty in eating and drinking and in speaking as well.’
According to local journalists, Hyder was born without the tumour and it started growing at the age of two.
His parents, whom he lost at a very young age, could not take him to any bigger hospitals due to financial constraints.
He was forced to quit school aged eight because other cruel students complained they were scared of him.
Hyder said: ‘I was forced to quit my studies even before I could complete my primary education as other students were scared of me.
‘For years, I remained confined to my home and hardly used to go out as neighbours used to look at me differently.’
Cruel children complained they were scared of him because of the unsightly growth, causing him to drop out of school when he was just eight
The massive tumour, while benign, has become so severe that it eclipses the right hand side of his face, including his eye
He and his younger brother, Muhammad Ali, started living with their late grandfather, Ghulam Ali, when their parents died.
Muhammad told local journalists that their grandfather’s last wish, before he died three years ago, was to see Hyder getting married.
He said: ‘He sent Hyder’s marriage proposal to over a dozen girls and some widows as well but no one accepted to marry him.
‘After so many rejections he finally decided to stop searching for a bride for him.’
Hyder began begging on the streets after his grandfather’s death as he struggled to make ends meet.
His neighbour, Shabbir Hussain, took his photographs earlier this month and put them on social media, seeking help for treatment.
A social worker, Syed Hussain Shah, from Hyderabad – 78 miles (126km) away, saw the pictures and was moved by Hyder’s condition.
Hyder, 32, told local reporters: ‘I can’t see with my right eye because the mass has grown this huge and covers half of my face’
According to local journalists, Hyder was born without the tumour and it started growing at the age of two. His parents, whom he lost at a very young age, could not take him to any bigger hospitals due to financial constraints
Shah said: ‘I showed the pictures to several doctors who told me that the tumour can be removed through a surgery.’
But for surgery, Hyder had to travel to Karachi, 160 miles (257km) south from his hometown.
Shah arranged train tickets for him and his brother and also accompanied them to surgeon, Dr Syed Abdul Ihsan’s private clinic as well.
Shah said: ‘The doctor told us that the treatment will cost £3,000. We have arranged over £300 in two days which are enough for his initial tests.
‘I’m hopeful that we can gather the required funds for the surgery.’
Dr Ihsan is hopeful that after surgery the poor man could live a normal life. He said: ‘The patient is suffering from neurofibromatosis.
‘We will see the depth of the tumour once we receive the MRI and X-Ray reports and then treatment can be planned.
‘His treatment is possible and I am hopeful that he can live a normal life after surgery.’
Hyder said: ‘I was forced to quit my studies even before I could complete my primary education as other students were scared of me’