CCEP Foundation helped raise RM25,000 of the RM75,000 cost needed for Luk Yi’s cochlear implant.
NINE-year-old Ho Luk Yi, who underwent cochlear implant surgery in December last year, still needs RM50,000 to settle his medical bill.
The Kepong boy was diagnosed as hearing-impaired when he was just a toddler.
Luk Yi after the surgery.
“He previously could not hear in his right ear while he had 25% hearing in his left ear,” said CCEP Foundation vice-chairman Lim Chin Chuan.
Luk Yi underwent successful cochlear implant surgery on his right ear in 2017 and was able to start speaking and go to school.
However, the hearing on his left ear began to deteriorate soon after, despite the boy using hearing aids.
His father, Ho Seow Son, 52, worked as a tour bus driver and his income was severely affected during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Luk Yi’s mother, Chan Fam Ling, 48, became a full-time housewife to take care of Luk Yi.
Due to financial constraints, Seow Son approached the NGO for help to raise funds for a second operation at HUKM Specialist Centre.
Lim said despite only raising RM25,000, the hospital’s senior consultant otorhinolaryngologist decided to go ahead with the implant surgery to ensure that speech therapy for the boy was not delayed.
The cochlear implant device cost RM74,400 and was supplied by Labchem Sdn Bhd, which had supplied the device for the first surgery as well.
“A patient needs the cochlear implant device from the same company as the brands cannot differ,” said Prof Dr Goh Bee See.
Lim is proud to have helped make a difference in Luk Yi’s life.
“With Dr Goh’s medical support, we are allowed to pay later once we have enough funds,” said Lim.
CCEP Foundation needs RM50,000 for the cochlear implant device.
All donations can be directed to CCEP Foundation, RHB 26219300009342. For details, 03-7955 9999 /010-279 8849.
