Life after dark: ‘Solar kids’ start moving around at night

Treatment seems successful, samples sent to US for genetic profiling

ISLAMABAD: The ‘solar children’ from Balochistan have become active at night after undergoing a short but intensive treatment regimen at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

The boys, nicknamed ‘solar children’ because of an uncommon ailment which caused them to temporarily become paralysed at night, have been under treatment at the hospital for two weeks.

“We have sent their blood samples to the University of Maryland, USA. We will need further time diagnose the genetic profile of the disease,” Shaheed Zulfiqar Medical University (SZABMU) Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Akram, who is also head of a medical board constituted to diagnose and treat the solar children, told The Express Tribune.

He said that during the day, they are given low dose of medication, with a full dose after sunset. Since starting the cycle, they have begun to be alert after dark.  He said they are living now leading normal lives and spent their time playing. “It is big medical success and honour for the country” he said, but added that they were waiting for test reports from the University of Maryland, which would help diagnose and prepare a genetic profile of the disease.

Last month, the case of three siblings — Illyas, 1, Shoaib 13, and Abdul Rasheed, 9— was reported from the Mian Ghundi area, 15 kilometres from Quetta as the first of its kind.

President meets kids

Meanwhile on Thursday, President Mamnoon Hussain met with the older two solar kids and their father at Aiwan-e-Sadr. State Minister for CADD Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, CADD Secretary Hassan Iqbal, and SZABMU VC Dr Akram were also present.

The president directed health authorities to ensure the boys get the best possible medical care. Hussain also chatted with the boys and gave them gifts while wishing them a speedy and full recovery. The CADD minister briefed the president was briefed on the children’s condition and details of their treatment at PIMS.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2016.