Help Extends Across The Straits Of Malacca

Pantai Hospital Ipoh and MBI join forces to help girl with cleft lip and palate

Like any seven-year-old girl, Puji Wathi, would dream to be normal and beautiful when she comes of age. But she was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate that gives her a nasal voice and chokes when she eats and drinks. She has to be careful because whatever she consumes travel from the palate to the nose.

Due to this condition she is malnourished and underweight for her age. Puja is bright but an introvert as her classmates in the school in Medan often make fun of her.

All these are in the past now. She successfully underwent corrective surgery at the Pantai Hospital Ipoh last month and on Christmas day after all the stitches were removed she returned home – ecstatic that her dream could come true. Thanks to those who care.

Puja is the youngest of three siblings. Her elder brother is 10 years old and her sister is 9.  Her father, Nyana Silan, 39, is a Hindu priest while her mother is a housewife. They can not afford the operation for Puja because of their low income. A few years ago the Tzu Chi Association in Medan came forward to help and she was able to undergo the first phase of the operation on her upper lip. However, funds were insufficient to carry out the full repair. Puja needs to undergo further operations to repair her lower lip and palate.

Her case was brought to the attention of Pantai Hospital Ipoh (PHI) and Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh during their official visit to Medan to promote medical tourism and to enhance social and economic ties as well as to share experience, expertise and organise joint programmes.

So her plight was brought across the Straits of Malacca and a meeting was held to discuss how to help Puja. Ipoh Mayor Datuk Roshidi Hashim ‘adopted’ Puja and is looking into her immediate needs while Pantai Hospital Ipoh undertook to perform the corrective surgery that Puja requires as well as assist in the family’s travel arrangements to Ipoh.

Fortunately for Puja, Pantai Hospital Ipoh recently opened their Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgical unit under the capable leadership of Dr Leow Aik Meng, PHI Resident Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, and all facilities were in place for the delicate surgery to be carried out. The Unit not only handles reconstructive surgical cases such as Puja’s but is offering other procedures such as body contouring, face lifts and other cosmetic rejuvenation.

Puja, her parents and Dr Lalitha (the doctor who treated Puja in Medan) were given a grand welcome at the airport when they arrived last month to receive treatment. They were warmly received by State Health, Local government, Consumer Environment, Transport & Non Islamic Affairs Committee Chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, Mayor Datuk Roshidi Hashim, Chief Executive Officer Pantai Hospital Ipoh (PHI) Dr Dilshaad Ali, and members of the hospital medical team. Puja was assessed and immediately underwent the corrective surgery.

CEO Dr Dilshaad said, “It is always PHI’s commitment to give back and reach out to the community. Corporate Social Responsibility is one of the main pillars under PHI and the Pantai Group which advocates being socially responsible as a healthcare provider. Puja’s operation is part of the hospital’s initiatives under its Caring From The Heart Programme”.