Maldives father of three endures 14 years of undiagnosed pain, seeks public help for treatment

A 27-year-old Maldivian father of three, Musa Luhahm, has been living with an illness of unknown nature for 14 years, since the age of 13, and is now appealing to the public for help to fund further diagnosis and treatment abroad. Luhahm told local media that despite undergoing extensive treatment and travelling to various countries to seek medical care, doctors have so far been unable to identify the root cause of his condition. He has consulted specialist nerve doctors, pain doctors and sports medicine doctors, and undergone countless tests, but the answers he received were discouraging. According to Luhahm, the only treatment that brought him some relief was steroid injections into the sacroiliac joints, located in the area connecting the lower part of the spine and the pelvis. In the first round, the pain decreased by approximately 80 to 90 percent, allowing him to move with ease for the first time. However, the relief generally lasted between one month and three months, and as time passed the effect diminished; in the last few administrations, the effect was at 60 percent and the duration of benefit also decreased. The pain has severely affected his daily life. While driving, unbearable pain can seize his body; while playing in the park with his children, his body can become weak. On some days he is so weak he cannot get up from bed, and on days when the pain is severe, he can only find relief by being admitted to the hospital for treatment. Despite his condition, Luhahm works hard for his livelihood, doing administrative work and serving as a service technician, and after returning from the office he provides motorcycle taxi service. He said he does not want to spend his whole life depending on other people. Luhahm said his eight-year-old eldest child can now sense his pain, and that while he previously fought the battle for himself, he now needs to face it for his children as well. Beyond the pain, the cost of treatment is a heavy burden for Luhahm and his family. He has appealed to various institutions for help in the past, with mixed results, and is now reaching out to the public. He hopes to begin the journey of first analysing the illness and seeking treatment for it, which would require travelling to whichever country in the world can offer it. He asks that anyone participate in whatever way they can - even financially, or with a prayer. Details of Luhahm's accounts: Maldives currency account 7730000169646; Dollar account 7730000278133.