3 kids need aid for surgery

Three families here are appealing for help to finance surgical operations on their children at the Gleneagles Medical Centre.

In the first case, 5-month-old Nur Alya Syafina Shaari needs surgery to rectify multiple conditions, including Down's syndrome, two holes in the heart and a defect in the structural formation of the heart valves between the upper and lower parts of the heart. This would cost about RM35,000.

Her father, Shaari Mat Zain, 47, is a factory security guard in Bedong, Kedah, while her mother, Sakinah Daud, 41, is a housewife.

They have five other children between the ages of 7 and 21. It is already very difficult to care for such a large family on my husband's RM1,400 salary.

In another case, 15-month-old Putri Nuralessa Adrena Rosman Fitry needs an operation urgently to prevent permanent damage to the aortic valve. The surgery costs about RM30,000.

Her father, Rosman Fitry Zaman Ali, 27, is a security officer in Bayan Lepas, earning about RM1,250 per month, and her mother, Ku Nurizzmelia Ku Izham, 21, holds a part-time job. The couple has another month-old child.

"Things are very difficult for us now. I am unable to do my part-time job often and my husband also has to give up his overtime at times to care for the children.

"It will be very tough for us to raise funds for the surgery as we are already in a lot of debt due to the medical bills," said Ku Nurizzmelia.

Meanwhile, 17-month-old Lee Jia Sheng from Paya Terubong requires surgery to rectify a bilateral impalpable testes, which will involve definitive transfer of the child's intra-abdominal testes into his scrotum. The process will take about a year, and the estimated cost is RM30,000.

His father, Lee Swee Wah, 48, is unemployed and currently seeking treatment for cancer. Mother Dorothy Tye, 38, is a wet market trader selling dressed chicken.

They have three other children, 17-year-old twins and a 10-year-old daughter who is still in school. The twins dropped out of school to help their parents.

Those who wish to help the children can send cheques, made payable to The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, with the child's name written on the reverse, to: The Cashier, Finance Department/Charity Unit, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, Balai Berita, No. 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.