Association raising funds to help toddler with bladder extrophy condition
MIRI: Miri Yuan Man Welfare Association is soliciting funds from Yuan Man branches around the country as well as members of the public to help a toddler with bladder extrophy condition.
The association has set up a sub-committee chaired by Donny Koo to ensure the smooth progress of the fundraising, to help one-year two-month-old Rashid who was born with the condition.
Rashid, whose parents are non-Malaysians, was born with bladder extrohy – a congenital abnormality that occurs when skin of the lower abdominal wall (bottom part of tummy) does not form properly, resulting in the bladder open and exposed on the outside of the body.
“We went to meet Rashid’s family at Bekenu today (Tuesday) to understand their condition, with some food assistance comprising rice, eggs, noodles, cereal beverages and biscuits.
“After discussion with the doctor from Miri Hospital, we have concluded that we will set our target at RM45,000 to cover flight for both mother and patient, accommodation and the cost of corrective surgery,” Koo told reporters yesterday.
Koo revealed that he was told the corrective surgery will have to be carried out at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching as it has doctors with related expertise.
The corrective surgery, he said, is to help the patient regain the normal function of urinary bladder and correct the genitalia.
“We are hoping to get the fundraising going, and all donations will be collected by Yuan Man Welfare Association of Miri for Rashid to be able to undergo the surgery.
“We will stop the fundraising once the targeted amount is achieved,” said Koo.
Rashid’s parents came to Miri at a very young age. His mother Era Abdullah was born in Kalimantan, Indonesia while his father came to Miri from the Philippines at the age of two.
“The living situation of the family hasn’t been good too, as the father, who is the only breadwinner, works at a construction site in Bekenu. Moreover, the family has been struggling with poverty since the MCO. The six other children aged six to 13 years never went to school due to citizenship issue.
“We are trying to help the child and the longer the delay, the worse the condition will be,” added Koo.
Those who wish to help can donate to Persatuan Kebajikan Yuan Man Miri (Maybank Acc: 511186327860).
For more information, Koo can be contacted at +60 12-877 1983.