A ten-year-old boy from Oldham has been diagnosed with scurvy, a disease historically associated with sailors from the Elizabethan era, following a horrific case of neglect that was missed by authorities despite dozens of warnings.
A Preventable Disease in the 21st Century
The boy, referred to in a safeguarding review as 'Abdur', was admitted to hospital suffering from severe malnutrition, anaemia, and scurvy. This condition is caused by a critical deficiency of vitamin C and was once a common killer among sailors during the Age of Exploration, responsible for an estimated two million deaths between 1500 and 1800.
The NHS states that scurvy is now considered rare and easily treatable, as most people consume sufficient vitamin C through their diet. However, Abdur's case highlights a shocking failure in the care system.
Systemic Failures and Missed Opportunities
The review found that Abdur's school had raised the alarm with social services on 38 separate occasions, reporting his rapid weight loss and other signs of neglect. He was frequently sent to school with only dry bread and water, which was sometimes mouldy.
Despite being under a care order from Oldham council, his deteriorating condition was overlooked. The report outlined significant multi-agency failures involving social services, A&E departments, and a GP, who all missed the severity of his situation.
His mother, known to social services for long-term addiction to heroin and crack cocaine, provided alternative explanations for his ill health. Even when Abdur suffered from extreme leg pain and struggled to walk, his mother and stepfather allegedly made him walk back from a doctor's appointment, dismissing his suffering.
Life-Threatening Condition and Lasting Impact
Abdur's plight was only taken seriously when a school nurse intervened, leading to his hospital admission. Medical experts concluded that his condition was wholly preventable and could have become life-threatening without prompt treatment.
As a result of the severe neglect, the boy experienced intense pain and had to have four teeth removed due to the effects of scurvy, which can cause swollen and bleeding gums.
Shaid Mushtaq, Oldham’s cabinet member for children and young people, issued a profound apology on behalf of the council. We are truly sorry for the pain and trauma they have suffered, he stated, acknowledging that the signs were present but not acted upon effectively.
The council has since implemented changes to its safeguarding procedures, promising better coordination between agencies and a renewed focus on listening to children. Abdur remains at home with his mother, stepfather, and half-siblings under the existing care order.
