Cross-Border Medical Hope: Bangladeshi Infant Seeks Lifesaving Visa to India

A Bangladeshi couple is anxious about securing a visa to India for their baby's post-surgery checkup after Craniosynostosis treatment in Kolkata. The premature fusion of the infant's skull bones required surgery. Logistics challenges arise from recent political tensions affecting visa issuance between Bangladesh and India.

A Bangladeshi couple is facing a nerve-wracking wait as they seek a visa to return to India for their nine-month-old son's crucial post-surgery checkup after he was treated for a rare cranial disorder. The baby, Ridwan Habib Ilham, hails from Bangladesh's Jessore district and underwent life-changing surgery in Kolkata.

Diagnosed with Craniosynostosis, a condition where the skull bones fuse prematurely, Ilham risked restricted brain growth and an abnormal head shape if left untreated. In June, after successful reconstructive surgery in Kolkata, the family returned to Bangladesh but now faces hurdles due to recent visa issuance restrictions.

The father's concern mounts as the Indian government restricts visas following political changes in Bangladesh. Virtual consultations with Kolkata doctors are ongoing, but an in-person visit is deemed essential for optimal post-operative care, a scenario complicated by current cross-border diplomatic tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)