Father appeals for ventilator machine for infant daughter

TAWAU: A 33-year-old civil servant has sought the help of businessman Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah to procure a ventilator machine to provide breathing support for his daughter who has been staying in the Tawau General Hospital since her birth one year ago.

Abdullah bin Tilah said her one-year and seven-month-old daughter would be able to go home and use the ventilator machine for breathing.

“My daughter was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the time of her birth and because of her condition, was forced to rely on a ventilator for breathing. The hospital had tried to gradually reduce the oxygen supply but it was not very successful, which means that she is not able to breathe normally without the aid of the ventilator.

“She is still conscious, and able to move and grow. We therefore would like to get a ventilator for her so that we can bring her back home. It is learnt that a ventilator would cost around RM25,000 to RM28,000, which we cannot afford,” he explained.

Abdullah also disclosed that his 30-year-old wife, a housewife, is taking care of their daughter in the hospital and is paying RM1 daily for the hostel accommodation at the hospital.

Liew promised to help and said he would visit the girl in the hospital.

Also present during the call was Tawau Hospital deputy director Dr Azman bin Ibrahim.