A Rare Disease of Julekha

Date: July 10, 2025

Let’s start the morning with some good news.

Everyone who saw the video of Julekha from Sirajganj, suffering from a rare skin disease, was deeply moved. A 17-year-old girl who has never been able to attend school for even a single day. She can’t play with others. No one socializes with her.

How heartbreaking. Her father, a mason’s assistant, has never been able to afford a doctor due to financial hardship. We just spoke with Julekha’s family. Her elder sister confirmed the sad truth: they still haven’t been able to consult any doctor. After the video aired on 71 TV, they received around 4,000 BDT in donations. But that amount might barely cover travel costs for seeking treatment.

When we told them that the Alhaj Shamsul Hoque Foundation would arrange medical treatment for Julekha, the family was overjoyed. Julekha’s elder sister is currently taking her second-year degree exams. Once her exams are over, we will send travel tickets to bring her and their mother to Chattogram, In Sha Allah.

We’ve already spoken to a specialized dermatologist. Julekha appears to be suffering from a very rare condition called "Nevus of Ota" or "Melanocytic Nevi." This disease affects only 1 or 2 people out of every 100,000.

Treatment is long-term and costly, possibly requiring multiple surgeries, and in some cases, patients may need to go abroad. The doctors will be able to determine the full scope after conducting detailed, in-person tests and evaluations.

Indeed, Allah is the best of healers.