A 40-year-old man requires assistance to support his family of four. He lost his sight two years ago due to diabetes.
R.Saravanan suffers from heart disease. And to compound the problem further his wife left the family in 2015. Life is a constant struggle for the former wireman.
The poor guy has been unemployed since losing his sight. He and his four kids, aged between six and 11, live in a one-room flat rented from his friend. The five survive on a monthly allowance of RM350 given by the Perak Welfare Department, besides contributions from generous relatives and friends.
“I want my children to lead normal lives like other kids, but my condition prevents me from providing for them.
“The monthly allowance, I receive from the welfare department, is barely enough. I pay my friend RM350 a month for the flat and the food he provides,” Saravanan told reporters during a press conference held at the Perak Barisan Nasional Public Service and Complaints Centre, Ipoh on Tuesday, July 18.
His ordeal began in 2013 when he was diagnosed with heart disease. His eyesight began to deteriorate due to diabetes and his heart condition. He became completely blind in 2015.
He had to use the maximum limit of his insurance coverage for an angiogram and supporting treatments at a private hospital. The cost was over RM30,000. As a result, he had insufficient funds for a follow-up surgery.
“I was referred to the government hospital instead. The doctor said I only had a 50-percent chance of survival if an operation was done. I dared not take the risk for my children’s sake,” he said.
His cousin sends his three children to school daily.
“How long can I depend on people for help? I cry when I’m alone. I don’t know what will come of me?” he sighed.
Perak Barisan Nasional Public Service and Complaints Centre head, Mohd Rawi Abdullah said the state government will help him get a government low-cost flat.
Saravanan lives at the Lapangan Perdana flats in Gunung Rapat. He can be reached on his mobile at: 014 604 7121.
Readers keen to help can remit their payments to Pertubuhan Masyarakat Prihatin Perak’s CIMB account No. 80-0488265-7.
Nabilah Hamudin
