KUALA LUMPUR: Unlike children his age, Rais Shaqib Amir, 6, has not experienced a typical childhood. Instead, he spends most of his time in the hospital undergoing and recovering from heart surgeries.
Now awaiting his final surgery, there is some glimmer of hope for Rais to lead a more normal life.
Diagnosed with transposition of great arteries and pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect at just two months old, Rais suffers from a complex heart condition.
His major blood vessels are not in their normal positions, and there is a hole in the heart wall that is supposed to separate the heart's ventricles.
The child's 32-year-old mother, Norhidayu Mohd Rehat said noticeable changes in Rais started to appear when he was two months old despite being born in a normal and healthy condition.
"While I was pregnant, there were no problems with him. But when he was two months old, I noticed that his nails and lips started turning blue.
"I took Rais to the health clinic for an examination, and that's when we found out that he had a complicated heart problem, with a reversed heart valve and narrowed arteries.
"The main cause of Rais having this condition remains unidentified, and there is no family history of heart disease. His growth during pregnancy was also normal," she told the media briefly.
Rais had previously undergone three heart surgeries at the age of as early as three months. The second and third surgeries were performed when he was one and three years old, respectively.
He is expected to undergo his final operation, namely Fontan surgery at Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur, which costs approximately RM100,000.
Norhidayu said she hoped her son's condition would improve, allowing him to lead a more comfortable life.
"I hope that after the final surgery, Rais can live an everyday life like everyone else. I am grateful for his current condition, and I want him to regain his health.
"However, after this, Rais won't be able to be active and engage in strenuous activities because he cannot get tired. All school activities will also need to be monitored," she said.
Norhidayu, who currently works as a factory operator, said Rais only needs to undergo follow-up treatments once every three months after his final surgery to monitor and assess the condition of his heart.
Those who wish to help can send a cheque with the patient's name written on the back to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund.
The contributions to this fund are eligible for tax exemption.
Donations can be addressed to the Corporate Communications Department of Media Prima Group Berhad, Level Five, Anjung Riong, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
For online banking, one can contribute via Bank Muamalat account number 14010008842718 or Maybank account number 514105323170 and must state the patient's name in the recipient reference section.