Alinur's mother, Meerim, recalls: "The measles vaccination is given from one year of age, but Alinur got sick at six months. I had heard about possible complications, but he recovered quickly. After that, he grew and developed normally. We were sure that all fears were behind us, not knowing that measles could have long-term consequences."
The first signs of the disease appeared in 2023 when Alinur began complaining of severe headaches shortly before his fifth birthday. Since then, the illness has deprived him of the ability to speak.
"Alinur was hospitalized in the neurology department of the 3rd Children's Hospital. Tests showed brain swelling, and doctors diagnosed him with 'epilepsy.' But during treatment, his limbs began to fail. We spent a month and ten days in the hospital, but we were discharged because they could not help," his mother shares.
Alinur had measles at six months, which led to a rare brain disease.
Alinur's parents did not immediately realize that the disease was related to his previous measles infection. Initially, they consulted many well-known pediatric neurologists in Bishkek, and then they went to India.
"The doctors held consultations, and no one could make a diagnosis. Realizing that we could not get help here, we sought assistance from foreign specialists and flew to India after being discharged. It was there that we received the correct diagnosis and started adequate treatment," Meerim recounts.
Alinur has been undergoing treatment for two years, and his family dreams of him living without pain and being able to regain his motor and speech functions.
"It's terrible. I gave birth to a healthy child who developed faster than his peers, ran around, and talked a lot. Now he is bedridden. How sad it is that measles vaccination only starts at one year. One illness has destroyed my son's life and our entire family," his mother says bitterly.
Alinur had measles at six months, which led to a rare brain disease.
Every month, treatment and rehabilitation cost the family about $1,500. Alinur's father works as a taxi driver, while his mother cannot work as she needs to provide constant care for her son. The government pays her about 8,000 soms as a caregiver for a disabled person, and Alinur receives the same amount due to his diagnosis.
"We sold everything we could to help our son. We started a fundraising campaign when there was nothing left to sell, and no acquaintances to turn to. I hope that Kyrgyz people will understand our situation and help us," his mother says with hope.
I really want my son to live and not know pain.
