WASHIM( Maharashtra), June 25: Strange as it may sound, but a 42-year-old man of Partitakmor village in this tehsil, around 250 kilometers from Nagpur, has been carrying his intestines outside the belly for the last two years.

Ram Namdev Dewadhe, the hero of the tragic tale and a Mathadi worker of Partitakmor, used to earn a livelihood by loading and unloading of foodgrains, fertilizer and cement bags.

In August, 1995, after lifting a cement bag, Dewadhe writhed in great pain. Unable to bear the pain, he dropped the bag on the floor. The pain did not subside. He also bled profusely while defecating. Pieces of flesh passed out along with the stool. As a result, he became weak and could not work.

Later, a tumour developed in his belly, adding to his woes. He consulted local doctors Dr Parati, Dr Bhagde and doctors at the Renaulds Hospital here, who advised him to get admitted to the hospital immediately.

Derwadhe then consulted Dr Arora of Amravati who performed a surgery of his stomach. He got some relief after the surgery. As the intestines were displaced from their normal position due to lifting of bags, the intestines had to be taken out of the belly during the operation. Since then Dewadhe has his intestines tied around his belly in a plastic bag.

According to medical experts, the intestines will have to be kept out of the belly for at least three years. If his body condition is normal, the intestines can be later placed back in the normal position, doctors said.

Seven bottles-full of water and a ball of flesh was removed from the belly during the operation, Dewadhe narrated, while speaking to The Indian Express.``I have been taking the medicines regularly as prescribed by the doctors and the cost of medicines is about Rs 400 per month'', he said. His digestion has not been good since the operation.

The operation cost him about Rs 27,000. The cost of putting the intestines back will be about Rs 20,000 to 25,000, he said. ``I had to dispose of my house and four acres of agricultural land to meet the medical expenses and I am now staying with my brother,'' he added.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.