Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Kidney patient appeals for aid

KUALA LUMPUR: When housewife P. Sivasakthi, was first diagnosed with kidney failure in September 2006, she ignored her doctor’s advice to go for dialysis and opted for traditional medicine.

But today, after using up her retiree husband N. Jayapragasam’s savings and going through much physical distress, the regretful 54-year-old now has no choice but to undergo dialysis three times a week.


Her family is struggling to meet her dialysis bills of about RM2,000 a month and Sivasakthi approached MIC Youth coordinator T. Mohan for help.

She also needs RM70,000 for a kidney transplant.

At a press conference, she said that in 2006 she suffered giddiness and vomiting and was referred to a private hospital where doctors confirmed that she had early signs of kidney failure.

“A friend suggested traditional treatment but there has been no improvement. I started dialysis last month,” she said.

Jayapragasam, 57, who retired as a security officer two years ago, said that his Employees Provident Fund savings had been also depleted by treatment for his diabetes and hypertension and that he was depending on their two sons for their living expenses.

“One son is earning RM1,500 while the other has only started work and is earning RM800,” he said, adding that he was reaching out to caring Malaysians for help to save his wife.

Mohan, who is also the MIC Youth social and welfare bureau chairman, said Sivasakthi's brother was willing to donate a kidney if the money could be raised for the transplant in South India.

He said the MIC Youth had started the Sivasakthi Fund with an initial donation of RM2,000.

Donors can send cheques to Sivasakthi Fund, c/o MIC Youth, No. 12, Jalan PBP 5, Taman Industri Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor or deposit their donation at Alliance Bank (account number 120880020084551).

For enquiries call Mohan at 019-222 3000 or S. Subramaniam at 019–351 7474.

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