MIC, Sepakat to aid of blind boy's family

2009/11/09

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang MIC and the People's Welfare and Complaints Secretariat (Sepakat) have stepped in to help a 3-year-old boy who lost his sight to eye cancer when he was 3 months old.

S. Puvarasan had both eyes removed after he was diagnosed with retinoblastoma.

State MIC Youth chief J. Dhinagaran said he hoped it might be possible to help the little boy to see with an eye operation.

"We will get a second opinion from an eye specialist in either a government or private hospital. If they say 'yes', we will arrange for the operation," he said at Puvarasan's home in Farlim, Bandar Baru Air Itam, yesterday.

During his hour-long visit, he handed RM500 to the family, while Sepakat gave household necessities.

Dhinagaran said Puvarasan would be sent to a special school so his studies would not be neglected and his parents could go to work without anxiety.

"MIC Youth has also promised to care for Puvarasan and his family's welfare until they are able to overcome their difficulties."

Sepakat operations executive Azlina Mehtab Mohd Ishaq said they would work with MIC Youth to help Puvarasan.

"Sepakat will follow up with the National Cancer Council, the Welfare Department and other agencies to find a solution. For all we know, with all the advances in technology, Puvarasan may see again."