MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman has taken special interest in the case of an Asian expat suffering from elephantiasis for several years, which requires that he receive medical care at a specialist hospital.

The governor sent an urgent message to the authorities concerned to accept the case and provide necessary medical care to the patient, 35-year-old Othman Al-Arkani, who teaches at a Qur’an school at a mosque in the Al-Badr region in Madinah.

An order was issued by the Royal Court that Al-Arkani be admitted at King Abdullah Medical City and Hospital for treatment.

Al-Arkani, a father of one, praised the efforts and concern of the governor to ensure he obtains necessary treatment.

Doctors began to provide medical care to him on Wednesday as per a specified treatment plan. The urgent treatment will be provided for 30 consecutive days, and will extend over three additional stages.

“I am optimistic about this generous approval for me to receive treatment at the hospital, especially as my father died from the same disease eight years ago after suffering from bedsores and infections,” he said.

Social activist Abdulmanea Al-Ajmi also expressed his appreciation on social media about the humanitarian role and intervention of the governor in Al-Arkani’s case, which required immediate admission to a specialist hospital for urgent treatment.

Al-Arkani is unable to move because of excessive weight around the feet. He has been bedridden for years, he said.