US issues last-minute visa to Pakistani girl with rare disorder
October 25, 2016
ISLAMABAD: The United States Embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday finally issued a visa to an ailing girl who’s to immediately undergo treatment in the US.
The six-year-old girl, Maria Shahid Ullah suffers from a rare genetic disease known as Morquio Syndrome.
The disease will render her unable to walk if not treated properly as the disease damages spinal cord.
A hospital in America has offered to perform a surgery for free on the girl that would alleviate the girl’s health and quality of life. The surgery is scheduled for November 2 at a hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.
Maria’s father spoke to news agency Associated Press saying that the US embassy twice refused to issue visas to the family. When he resubmitted visa applications he was told that the process would take time.
It was when Sana Ullah turned to a lawyer in the US, and started a campaign on social media drawing attention to his child’s health.
He started his quest four years ago learning about Maria’s condition and contacting parents who have children suffering from the same disease.
His endeavours finally led him to the US children medical institute.
The US embassy has said that the visas are approved.
Shahid Ullah said he’s overjoyed at the news and is grateful to every supporter and sympathiser.
