Scoliosis sufferer appreciates Socso’s funding her surgery

KENINGAU: A clerk in a private company Norafizah Hamzani, 38, has a good reason to express her gratitude to the Social Security Organization (Socso) and her employer.

Due to their help, Norafizah now considered herself as very happy and lucky to recover from scoliosis after a surgery sponsored by Socso.

Scoliosis is a medical condition of an abnormal curve of the spine believed to be caused by a genetic factor which affects individuals as young as three years old causing the patient's body to form a shape of either ‘S' or ‘C'.

“I have been suffering from this (scoliosis) condition and today I'm very lucky and grateful to recover from this pain.”

“Socso have spent RM32,012 to fund the treatment. I am greatly indebted to Socso,” she told Bernama here yesterday.

The youngest of four siblings from Kampung Banjar Keningau said she started to experience the scoliosis symptoms since early 2017.

“The early symptoms were physical changes and pain at the back that usually attack at night,” she said.

Norafizah, a clerk of a property company was insured under the Socso Insurance Scheme and has applied for a fund for an implant surgery that took place recently on March 27.

“I am thankful that my employer registered me under the insured person of the scheme, this is an advantage,” she added.

She said her condition could become worse and her physical form could not return to normal without the surgery.

She expressed her appreciation that her employer since 2006 did not terminate her after she was diagnosed with the illness, instead, her employer showed their concern by giving encouragement and motivation while she was in severe pain.

Socso's Senior Case Manager for Borneo Zone Florence Blasius, who oversees the development of Norafizah from the beginning, said the approval of the application took only three weeks.

“Her case was under the Socso Return to Work Programme. This agency felt proud that this programme has received full support from her employer.”

“Her employer, Tenaga Sejahtera Sdn Bhd showed a valuable attitude by not terminating her despite her long sick leave, instead they provide her with health support and accept her employment again, this should be applauded and emulated by other employers in the state,” she added. - Bernama