Ngan and her son Dau Van Duy Ha
After losing her husband and watching her son's condition deteriorate, Dau Thi Ngan, a 43-year-old widow from Ea Drong Commune, Cu M'gar District, Dak Lak Province, has written a heartfelt letter appealing for help to save her son's life.
Following the address on the letter of appeal, Dantri reporters visited Ngan's modest home. They found her youngest child, Dau Van Duy Ha, aged 13, covered in painful sores on his body and face, and he had just returned from another round of treatment at Bac Ninh Dermatology Hospital.
Ngan and her late husband had four children, and Ha is the youngest. At birth, he had a small red mark on his face, which the family assumed was a harmless birthmark. However, over time, the mark expanded and caused the boy constant discomfort. After a medical check-up, Ha was diagnosed with severe atopic dermatitis.
Ngan sought treatment for her son at various hospitals in Dak Lak, Ho Chi Minh City, and other provinces. Despite these efforts, Ha's condition continued to worsen. His skin remains inflamed, blistered, and peels constantly.
"Topical medicine brings temporary relief, but by nightfall, the itching returns. Sometimes he cries while scratching himself until he bleeds. It breaks my heart, but I don't know what else I can do," Ngan said tearfully.
Her burden grew heavier after her husband passed away nine years ago. Since then, she has taken on every odd job available in the area to feed her children and afford Ha's treatments.
A friend introduced her to a skin treatment programme at Bac Ninh Dermatology Hospital three years ago. Although Ha's condition slightly improved with this treatment, a complete cure remains far off.
"The doctor said he may need two more years of medication and topical treatment. If it doesn't work, we might have to resort to blood filtration to keep him alive," she explained.
Ngan has borrowed money from relatives, mortgaged her only home, and taken out loans to cover treatment costs. Her work has been disrupted, and her income is unstable. The family is now overwhelmed with debt.
"If we can't afford further treatment, I fear my son will have no choice but to undergo blood filtration to survive. We are out of options. I'm asking for help from Dantri readers to give my child a chance," she pleaded.
Due to constant hospital visits, Ha's schooling is frequently interrupted. Each time he returns, he works hard to catch up on lessons. When asked about his wish, the boy simply said he just wants to sleep through the night peacefully.
"My skin itches the most at night. I can't sleep. I keep scratching and walking around until I'm too tired to stand. I wish I didn't have this disease, I just want one good night's sleep," Ha shared.
Balancing treatment and school has left Ha physically and emotionally exhausted. What saddens him most is the lack of companionship; many children won't play with him.
"Some parents are afraid their children will catch his skin disease, so they don't let them play with Ha. I wish I could bear this pain for him," Ngan said.
Nguyen Huu Tham, Principal of Dinh Tien Hoang Secondary School, confirmed that Ha's case is truly heartbreaking. To support him, the school has assigned teachers to help him catch up on his studies whenever he returns to class.
"We try to support Ha as much as possible, but our resources are limited. We hope more people with kind hearts will help him get the treatment he desperately needs before his condition worsens," the principal said.
According to a dermatologist in Dak Lak, Ha's condition, atopic dermatitis with secondary eczema, is extremely difficult to cure. It is a chronic illness that requires long-term, costly treatment.
"If not treated properly, both topically and internally, there's a high risk of skin damage and adrenal suppression due to corticoid misuse. That's why the family needs to choose the right hospital and stay committed throughout the treatment," the doctor advised.
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Address: Phu Phong Village, Ea Drong Commune, Cu M'gar District, Dak Lak Province
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