A Reporter

This entry is not exactly about the news. But is about the reporter(ehe). My sister, Nusaybah's first news(currently doing her internship at NSTP). Wishing you all the best sister!

Two babies need help for heart operation

2010/01/20

By Shahirah Abdul Hamid and Nusaybah Mohd Asri

KUALA LUMPUR: Two families are appealing for help to finance the cost of heart surgery for their children at Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre here.
Three-month-old Ong Kai Yu was diagnosed with multiple ventricular septal defects five days after he was born.

Ong's mother, Chong Yee Nee said his son's growth has been retarded due to his failing heart. He requires surgery, estimated at RM34,000, to correct the heart defect.

His father Ong Kah Wai, 33, is a construction worker earning less than RM2,500 while Chong, 31, is a housewife.

One-year-old Yap Kai Ling also suffers from a similar medical condition.

Yap's mother, Wong Yeen Hung, 23, said three months after her daughter was born, an aunt noticed that her nails and lips were bluish.

Wong said that Yap was often sick and easily tired. Her weak condition made her susceptible to viruses and she had been diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1). She also had a lung infection.

Wong's family has exhausted all their savings to pay for Yap's first operation.

She needs another operation, estimated to cost RM32,000.

Wong works as a cafe assistant and only earns RM700 a month while her husband Yap Jiunn Jiann, 28, who is a welder, earns RM2,200.

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