Ray of hope: Baharudin (left) chatting with Mohd Khairul Anuar, who is holding 10-month-old Muhammad Aisy Rizqi, and Siti Baizura.
JOHOR BARU: Muhammad Aisy Rizqi is just 10 months old. But he has already undergone two major operations due to various health complications.
His mother, Siti Baizura Mat Khir, 39, said doctors detected an anomaly with her son when he was a newborn.
“My youngest child was born on July 31. He was put in an incubator due to health concerns.
“My heart sank when I saw him inside the incubator with all the tubes all over his face and body,” she said when met at her house in Taman Scientex Pasir Gudang here yesterday.
Muhammad Aisy is one of three recipients who received assistance from Yayasan Pasir Gudang as a result of medical conditions suffered by themselves or their family members.
The housewife, who has three other children, said that following further medical checks, she and her husband were told that Muhammad Aisy has narrow airways, a hernia problem and is suspected to have a split cleft inside his mouth.
She added that their son already underwent two operations to fix his narrow airways twice in October last year.
“However, he still has some breathing difficulties. I cannot leave him alone even for a few minutes, as he will turn blue, showing that he is not breathing properly.
“Unlike other babies, my son will not cry loudly if there is a problem, which is why my husband and I always keep a very close watch on him even when he is sleeping,” she said.
Siti Baizura added that she and her husband, Mohd Khairul Anuar Satam, 40, would bring their son to Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) on a monthly basis for medical check-ups.
“We do not have a car of our own but my parents-in-law will drive from Felcra Sungai Ara in Kota Tinggi to our house and bring us to HSI.
“It is very expensive for us to take a taxi or use an ehailing service, as a two-way trip from the hospital and back would cost us at least RM60,” she added.
Her husband, who is the sole breadwinner, works as a lorry driver but will only get paid if there is a job for him.
“So far, we have spent almost RM5,000 to cover our son’s medical expenses.
“We also have to cover expenses for three other children, such as school and bus fees,” she said.
Yayasan Pasir Gudang chairman Baharudin Mohamed Taib said besides Muhammad Aisy, the foundation also paid a visit to two other people, who are suffering from chronic diabetes and prostate cancer.
The Permas assemblyman added that, until April this year, the foundation had provided assistance to 60 individuals suffering from various medical issues.
“We handed out financial assistance and basic needs to help ease their burden.
“The foundation receives cases forwarded to us from local community leaders,” he said.
Baharudin added that besides providing assistance, the foundation members also help to clean up recipients’ houses so that they can live in a more comfortable environment.
