Doctors remove boils from Lochan’s face

NOEL LOCHAN underwent surgery at San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) yesterday where doctors removed three out of several egg-sized boils from his face. Surgeons did not attempt to remove boils from Lochan’s left upper thigh and stomach due to the risk of severe haemorrhaging. Lochan, 23, of St Julien Road in Princes Town, was admitted to hospital last month after Health Minister John Rahael and South West Regional Health Authority chairman Imtiaz Ahmad, intervened and a team of doctors began treating him. Blood investigations and tissue biopsies of the lesions have not resulted in a conclusive diagnosis.

Lochan underwent a blood transfusion and was administered a course of antibiotics in the hope that the lesions will subside or not spread to other parts of  his body. The decision to remove the lesions surgically was taken earlier this week by consultant burns and plastic surgeon at SFGH, Dr Balkaran Ramkissoon. Shortly after midday yesterday, Dr Ramkissoon performed the surgery. The lesions removed from Lochan’s face almost covered his eyes, nose and left cheek. Lochan’s close relatives kept vigil outside the hospital until the operation was completed. There has been an outpouring of sympathy from the public, who have visited and offered financial assistance to the poverty stricken family. On Wednesday, students of Barrackpore Junior Secondary School visited the family and donated blankets, pillows and foodstuff.