GIVING out foodstuff or some donation to needy families during the festive season is quite a norm for politicians but when Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain did so in Bukit Gedung, it was a heart-wrenching moment for him when he visited the first of four families in Halaman Mayang 1.
While speaking to S. Rajendiran, 63, and his wife, R. Umaravathi, 58, he learnt that their 12-year-old granddaughter, S. Pritika, is being hospitalised and that she has been suffering from renal problems since the age of two.
Pritika’s parents, K. Sithambaram, 42, a United Parcel Service handler, was out working while R. Devika, 35, a technician with Western Digital, was at the General Hospital to care for her. Her two other siblings, aged seven and four, are being taken care of by their grandparents.
Abdul Halim, who is also the state Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman, offered words of encouragement to Pritika’s grandparents and later handed them a donation.
“While the child gets free treatment, the dialysis equipment is expensive. We’ll provide some assistance to them during this Deepavali season,” said Abdul Halim, adding that he would also hand out aids to about 100 residents of Batu Maung on Sunday (Nov 4).
“I hope my daughter can get a kidney transplant. She has been hospitalised for about two months,” said Sithambaran in a phone interview.
Abdul Halim, accompanied by members of Briged Wanita, later proceeded to visit another Hindu family nearby. He presented a donation to an asthma-stricken single woman, P. Manogary, 57.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad