Page 14 - ACCF - Stories of Resilience

Barpeta District
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

ahidul Ali, a 24-year-old fisherman from Basbari Village (Baksa) is a tobacco chewer for last 7years, consuming
Sapproximately 10-15 packets of gutkha (a smokeless tobacco product) daily. He lives in a remote area with limited
access to healthcare services. In the month of December 2024, he began to feel mild pain belo w
his tongue which worsened while eating spicy food. He noticed difficulty in swallowing
(dysphagia), altered speech, and increased drooling of saliva. He, along with his
elder brother, decided to visit the nearest sub centre where the Community
health officer examined him and later, she contacted the outreach team of
Barpeta Cancer Centre regarding the same. The team went to Basbari Village
for cancer screening and awareness along with the local frontline workers.
The screening team from ACCF along with Asha reached out to Sahidul Ali
and his family. The 24-year-old was living with an ulceroproliferative lesion
in his floor of mouth, indurated edges with central necrosis and surrounding
mucosa appeared inflamed. Palpation revealed a firm, non-mobile lesion
with tenderness. After examination, it was apparent that he needs immediate
medical attention. Sahidul Ali was living with this painful growth, unable to
gather the courage to seek medical help. He was grappling with the fear of his
ailment and the financial constraints that made accessing healthcare a distant dream.
Despite the numerous challenges that lay ahead, the COP team of ACCF swung into action, driv en
by a commitment to provide care and support to those in need. They immediately made all the arrangement for him
to come to Barpeta Cancer Centre. When Sahidul finally arrived at the centre, it was evident that his condition has
deteriorated significantly. The ulceroproliferative growth was restricting the tongue movement with severe pain.

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