KUALA LUMPUR: Three children are hoping that the generosity of Malaysians would not only help them to undergo heart surgeries but would eventually allow them to have an active and healthy future.
Four-month-old Muhammad Hafiy Thasyiq Muhammad Taufik, who weighs just 5kg, needs an urgent surgery to supply extra blood to his lungs and close a hole in his heart. The toddler was born with an absent connection between two right sided chambers (tricuspid atresia) and was diagnosed with a hole-in-the-heart condition called balloon atrial septostomy, when he was born.
Hafiy’s father, Muhammad Taufik Sarip, 28, is an information and communications technology technician, earning RM700 a month, while his mother, Norhaiza Suhaimi, is a housewife. Both hoped their son would be cured so that he could enjoy a brighter future.
“It is really sad to see my little one with this heart condition since birth and he has breathing problems whenever he moves and cries. I hope we will be able to raise the amount for my son’s operation and that he would be able to lead a healthy life after the surgery.”
Another child seeking financial aid is Mariyam Nur Yaasin Yusrin.
The two-year-old was diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus or an extra blood vessel and pulmonary valve stenosis which narrows the opening to the lungs.
“The heart problem was detected when she was born. She also has a serious eyesight problem,” said her mother, Riyanti Sansumarti.
Mariyam’s father, Yusrin Abd Kadir, 37, works as a driver and is unable to raise the amount needed for his daughter’s surgery, as he is the sole breadwinner.
“My daughter needs to undergo the third stage of palliative surgery called Fontan operation and the
estimated cost of operation is
RM42,000.”
Meanwhile, seven-year-old Fam Cui En is suffering from an underdeveloped heart chamber due to disconnection of blood vessels to the heart. She also needs to undergo a Fontan surgery costing RM50,000.
Her father, Fam Thong Keong, a self-employed contractor, said they could not raise the amount for the surgery as he only earned RM1,000
a month while the girl’s mother was a housewife.
Donors can send their cheque made payable to The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, with the patient’s name written on the reverse side and addressed to: The Cashier, Finance Department/Charity Unit NSTP, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, Balai Berita, 31, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.