FOURTEEN-year-old Mohamad Andy Hakimi, who used to be a high performer in both his studies as well as extra-curricular activities, now cannot continue to pursue an active lifestyle after being diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) chief executive officer Ronald Koh said Andy needs to undergo surgery urgently due to the severity of his condition.
“Andy has developed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with a spine curve of 65 degrees.
“So, the doctor has advised surgery to be done as soon as possible because of the severity of the curve.
“He will be having posterior instrumentation on the thoracic and lumbar spine and thoracoplasty surgery on Oct 18 and the cost of the surgery is RM130,000.
“The Penang Adventist Hospital Charity Fund (PAHCF) committee has approved medical disbursement of RM50,000 for Andy,” Koh said during a press conference yesterday (Oct 12).
According to Koh, the hospital is currently raising funds to top up the balance amount.
“Due to the individual’s lifetime limit policy (fund allocation from PAHCF), the hospital is continuing our effort to raise more funds through the public.
“We understand that the surgery cost is a heavy burden for the family.
“They did prepare for life’s uncertainty by buying insurance for the child, but the insurance was rejected this time.
“They must have felt helpless. And I sincerely hope that we can all work together now to make a change in this boy’s life,” Koh added.
Koh also shared that Andy is a top student who always represents his school in a variety of competitions.
“He always comes out top, be it in academics, arts or sports and excellent student with a pleasant personality,” Koh said.
Meanwhile, Andy who is studying at SMK Bukit Jambul, said he gets tired easily due to his health problem.
“Just lately, I have been getting extremely fatigued when I walk some distance. I have always wanted to join the school’s Youth Cadet Corps, but I have been advised against it due to my condition.
“I hope that I can join the Cadet’s marching team one day,” he said.
Andy’s mother, Rashidah M. Abdul Gafor, a housewife said only in March this year, she got to know that her son has been having adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
“Andy is a healthy kid. Throughout these years he was all fine. Just sometime in March, I started to notice that he was walking awkwardly.
“There were no other symptoms prior to that. He used to carry out his daily activities as usual and looked perfectly good.
“Only lately, he has been having difficulty in breathing because the curve is getting severe and putting pressure on his lungs.
“The doctor said if the curve was below 40 degrees, he could be treated by wearing scoliosis braces but now it has to be treated through surgery,” Rashidah added.
Rashidah also thanked the PAH Charity Fund committee for the RM50,000 in medical assistance.
For those who would like to donate and help Andy return to an active lifestyle, please check out the details below:-
Penang Adventist Hospital Charity Fund
Acc number: 8605007005
Bank: CIMB Bank
For further information, contact Jenny Ooi (charity manager) at 012-4102223 or Tan Hui Nee (medical welfare officer) at 04-2227644
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud