Dhaka, Feb. 17 -- Four-year-old Alvi is facing an ordeal of life at a very early age, as he has recently been diagnosed with blood cancer. It is forcing him to spend his childhood in various hospitals, bearing the brunt of chemotherapy and other tough treatments.

Alvi's father Mohoshin Mia lives in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur. Six months ago he tried to reach a child specialist in his district, after Alvi developed severe illness. But failing to catch a pediatrician in Madaripur he visited Ibn Sina, a private hospital in Dhaka.

"Following some medical tests, the hospital referred Alvi to Dhaka Shishu Hospital in Shyamoli area. Alvi's struggle for survival began at the government specialized hospital, as he was diagnosed with 90 per ce...