KUALA LUMPUR: The parents of three heart patients are at their wits’ end seeking donations from the public to help their children undergo heart surgeries.
1-year-old Nor Aleeyah Sayeeda was diagnosed with a severe heart defect — she has several holes in her heart and the vessels to her lungs are blocked.
Aleeyah’s parents, Azril Amiruddin, 28, and Noor Syafiqah, 25, were teary-eyed when met at the hospital and their only wish was for their daughter to undergo a corrective surgery as soon as possible.
“A few days after she was born, she had breathing difficulties and her body turned blue. She was immediately admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU).
“That was where we learned about her condition and she now relies on the ventilator to breathe. Otherwise, she faces the high risk of blood clotting in her brain,” Syafiqah said.
Azril, who is the sole breadwinner, earns about RM2,000 a month while Syafiqah is a full-time housewife.
Meanwhile, 3-month-old Shailendra Bahadur was diagnosed with the same heart condition, which could cause irreversible damage to the baby.
Shailendra’s father, Lachamanan, 33, said several days after his son was born, he developed yellow fever and the doctor detected irregular heartbeats.
“The doctor informed us that since my son is still young, his lungs could get infected as his immune system is not strong enough.
“For forty days, we went back and forth between the hospital and our house. It was difficult for us because our home is far from the hospital. We were not allowed to bring him home due to his condition.
“My son was later transferred to Gleneagles Hospital in Ampang,” he said.
Lachamanan, a lorry driver who earns RM2,000 a month, is the sole breadwinner and his wife is a full-time housewife.
Also seeking the public’s help is 1-year-old Hannah Ong, who is in need of funds for a cardiac catheterization to close the hole in her heart and to relieve the blocked vessel to her lungs.
Ong’s mother, Sia Meng Choo, 39, said she hopes to raise the money needed for the surgery as soon as possible.
“The defect in her heart was detected by doctors five months into my pregnancy.
“After she was born, she had yellow fever and was immediately transferred to the ICU for further observation.
“Hannah needs to undergo surgery to relieve the blockage of vessels or the chances of her surviving are very slim,” she said.
All three heart patients need RM60,000 respectively for the surgeries and treatment.
Well-wishers who wish to donate may send cheques made payable to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund, with the patient’s name written on the reverse-side of the cheque and addressed to: The Group Corporate Communications Department, Media Prima Berhad, Level 1, Anjung Riong, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
Members of the public can also donate via cash to Maybank account (5141-0532-3170).