A teenager from West Bengal, who spent most of his time in ponds because of a mysterious and debilitating condition, has been brought to Mumbai for medical treatment after Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani intervened.
At times, he would also move from one water body to another, spending prolonged periods in the water.
They also said that the family could not afford the cost of prolonged treatment and had appealed for help.
The doctor stressed that Iqbal needed proper medical evaluation and should not continue spending extended hours in ponds.
With Iqbal now in Mumbai, doctors at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital are expected to assess his condition and determine the appropriate course of treatment.
A teenager from West Bengal, who spent most of his time in ponds because of a mysterious and debilitating condition, has been brought to Mumbai for medical treatment after Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani intervened.
Iqbal, a teenager from Murshidabad, had been spending his days and nights in ponds, with his family saying he complained of an intense burning sensation whenever he came out of the water.
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According to a report by ANI, he also described feeling as though a supernatural presence had taken over him, which led him to remain submerged for hours.
His unusual routine came to wider attention after a video of Iqbal sitting in a pond and eating snacks surfaced on social media. The footage prompted medical experts to look into his condition and raised concerns about the prolonged amount of time he was spending in the water.
ANI reported that following the intervention of Ambani, arrangements were made to bring Iqbal to Mumbai for further evaluation.
He was airlifted from West Bengal and admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, where he is now undergoing specialised medical assessment and treatment.
People in Iqbal's neighbourhood had grown concerned about his condition, as he was frequently seen in ponds from morning until late at night. At times, he would also move from one water body to another, spending prolonged periods in the water.
His parents told ANI that they had previously taken him to a hospital in an attempt to find a solution, but his condition did not improve. They also said that the family could not afford the cost of prolonged treatment and had appealed for help.
While doctors work to determine what is causing Iqbal's symptoms, medical experts have also warned that spending such long periods in water can create serious health problems of its own.
A dermatologist at Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial (SSKM) Hospital told ANI that prolonged immersion could lead to skin maceration, a condition in which the skin becomes pale, soft and more vulnerable to irritation, cracks and infection.
Another dermatologist pointed out that constantly keeping the skin wet could increase the chances of fungal and bacterial infections. The doctor stressed that Iqbal needed proper medical evaluation and should not continue spending extended hours in ponds.
With Iqbal now in Mumbai, doctors at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital are expected to assess his condition and determine the appropriate course of treatment.
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