Arikkulam: Makkattu Najmal, a man with physical disabilities living in ward four in the panchayat has been struggling while seeking medical help as the road is completely damaged. Najmal, who has lost 80 per cent of sensation and movement in both his hands and limbs, requires help from others to stand and sit.

The road in front of his house is filled with potholes, and sand has been eroded, rendering it useless. Even pedestrians find it difficult to walk on this road. Meanwhile, it has become extremely difficult for Najmal’s family to take him to the hospital.

Najmal was carried on a chair by his brother and neighbours to the road, the other day, before he was taken to the hospital. The family requested the panchayat multiple times to repair the road. They have even submitted a complaint to the district collector urging immediate action.

However, nothing has happened till now. Najmal has been certified as a patient with symmetric sensor motor neuropathy by the medical board. His late father and brother had knocked on several doors to make the road motorable, in vain.

Najmal is over 50 years old now and was cared for by his father when he was alive. After the father died, his mother and brother took up the responsibility of taking care of Najmal. Now, he is under the care of his brother Riyas. Their mother, Pathumma too is struggling with age-related health problems.

Meanwhile, Riyas does iron fencing to support his family. Riyas is always helped by their relative Aslam and neighbours, and close friends Siraj and Faisal to take Najmal to the hospital.