Nov 20

Tree man ‘denied treatment’

AN Indonesian villager dubbed “Tree Man” for massive
bark-like warts growing on much of his body may be barred from travelling to the
United States to receive treatment, a report said today.

Woody growths entirely cover 32-year-old Dede’s hands in long, root-like
tendrils that leave him unable to work - except as a member of a travelling
freak show. He was in a Discovery Channel documentary this month.

“We’re clear about not giving them (US doctors) permission to bring Dede to
the US,” health ministry spokeswoman Lily Sriwahyuni Sulistiyowati was quoted as
saying by Warta Kota daily.

“Moreover, people like Dede, who live in small villages, don’t want to be
taken away, especially to give blood samples. Normally village people don’t
easily give foreigners permission to test their blood,” she said.

Anthony Gaspari, a dermatologist from the University of Maryland, examined
Dede as part of the documentary.

He believes the massive growths are a combination of the human papilloma
virus, which causes warts, and a genetic disorder that means his immune system
is too weak to fight them off.

Mr Gaspari said he was disappointed by the reported health ministry decision
but said it would not stop his initial plan to treat his condition.

Mr Gaspari said he was in negotiations with a US pharmaceutical company to
provide Dede with an ongoing supply of vitamin A, which would hopefully boost
his immune system and hinder the growth of the warts.

“My initial plan would be to send medication to Indonesia to a local doctor
to administer,” he said. “If it doesn’t work I won’t have any choice but to try
to get him over here.”

Possible alternative treatments, such as chemotherapy, carried higher risks
and needed to be closely monitored outside Indonesia, Mr Gaspari said.

Genetic testing would also require fresh blood samples, which meant they
would have to be taken in the United States, he added.

“I suppose at a university in Indonesia it’s maybe possible to do the
testing, I just don’t know whether the expertise would be available,” he said.