Dhaka, Nov 4 – A tumour in the head of Jinnat Ali—the tallest person of the country at 8 feet 2 inches—is getting worse and he needs immediate treatment, his doctors said yesterday.Jinnat suffers from acromegalic gigantism, said Dr Kanak Kanti Barua, Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at a press briefing yesterday at the BSMMU, “And if not being
operated, the tumor will get worse,” he informed.
Jinnat is currently getting treatment at the BSMMU. He is admitted under Dr Farid Uddin, head of Endocrinology of the BSMMU.
Dr Barua informed that Dr Farid first treated Jinnat four years ago when he visited the hospital for treatment. “His tumor was diagnosed back then and the doctor suggested performing operation on it. But Jinnat didn’t agree.”
“We are thinking of surgically removing the tumor now but it seems Jinnat doesn’t agree as he is scared of surgery,” he said.
The VC of BSMMU said the hospital currently has the facility and expert surgeon to conduct this type of surgery. “We are thinking of transferring Jinnat under Dr ATM Mosharraf Hossain, head of
Neurosurgery,” said Dr Barua.
Dr Mosharraf said the surgical operation needed to remove the tumor of Jinnat has good success rate in Bangladesh. “After the operation, the patient suffers from excessive urination. There are also the chances of tumor re-growth. These factors are also treated post-surgery.”
Ilias Ali, brother of Jinnat Ali said Jinnat is scared of surgery.
“His situation is getting worse. We are trying to make him understand that without surgery, he wouldn’t get well.” – Staff Reporter
