Little Yu Jian needs RM60k for surgery
Seizure-causing disease at risk of spreading to healthy left side of three-year-old’s brain
SELAMA: While his three-year-old twin brother moves around actively, Ng Yu Jian could only lie on a baby rocker.
The elder of the two, Yu Jian was diagnosed with refractory epilepsy, due to a condition called right hemisphere dysplasia, several months after birth.
Yu Jian’s father Ng B.S., 39, said his condition curtailed his ability to stand and walk.
“He could move his limbs around. “With assistance, he could sit upright for only a short while,” he said when met at their home in RPT Permai 2 here.
Ng, an insurance agent, said initially Yu Jian would have epileptic seizures about once every two months.
Now despite treatment, he has epileptic seizures once every two weeks or a month.
“And whenever he has a seizure, he becomes unconscious for about half an hour.
“We will drive him to the Taiping Hospital, which is about an hour away,” he said.
Ng said over the years, he has taken Yu Jian to see several doctors at private and public hospitals.
“He was evaluated by the Department of Paediatric Neurology in Hospital Kuala Lumpur and was then recommended a major surgical procedure that would prevent the seizures spreading from the diseased right half of the brain to the healthy left half.
“We were referred to Ara Damansara Medical Centre, in view of their expertise and experience with this procedure,” he said.
The neurosurgeon at Ara Damansara Medical Centre explained that as Yu Jian has not shown any response to multiple medications, the surgical procedure, which offers a chance of 60-70% of complete seizure control, was a reasonable option in Yu Jian’s situation.
The total cost of the surgery and hospitalisation would be about RM50,000.
Ng said he suffered from anxiety, months after his son’s condition was diagnosed.
“Since his condition was diagnosed, I got depressed,” he said.
“My wife and I are also fearful about having more children as it will be a heavy financial burden,” he said. They have another six-year- old son. I’ve also used up most of my savings for his treatment and I hope the public can help me fund his operation.”
Star Foundation Medical Fund Programme hopes to raise about RM60,000 for the surgery and travelling expenses.
Excess donations will be used for the next eligible patient.
Donations can be made via cheque, credit or debit card and bank transfer.
Donors will need to download and fill in the Medical Fund – Donation Form at https:// www.starmediagroup.my/ star- foundation/ medical-fund-programme/.
For a tax exemption receipt to be issued, the completed form attached with the proof of transfer should be e-mailed to starfoundation@thestar.com.my.
Star Foundation has been raising and administering funds for various causes.
Its Medical Fund Programme was set up in 2015 to help more individuals and families in dire need of financial aid and medical attention.
For details, call Star Foundation at 03-7967 1388 (ext 1046).