Hospital fund recipients share testimonies

(From left) Koh and Chow sharing a light moment with the fund recipients during the hospital’s anniversary and charity dinner at Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Penang. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

THREE years ago when he turned 21, student Lee Kean Lip met with a road accident that changed his life.

Lee was then studying automotive diagnostics technology while working part-time at a motorcycle repair shop to gain knowledge and experience.

The accident left him with part of his skull removed to undergo surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain.

He later went to Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) for a second opinion as the skull replacement procedure was deferred by seven months.

With the Dr J. Earl Gardner Fund, Lee managed to undergo a Reconstructive Cranioplasty surgery and a Urethroplasty procedure, which cost around RM23,000.

“With the financial aid, my parents’ burden was lessened.

“I stayed in the hospital for a month and am recuperating.

“I hope to get back to work soon so that I can save money and start my own business, ” he said when met at PAH’s 95th anniversary celebration and charity dinner at Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Relau, Penang, recently.

Another charity patient M. Thanalechumy, 23, was diagnosed with diabetes since she was 18 and had to take daily medication and insulin jabs.

Unfortunately, her parents passed away and she was taken care of by her elder brother.

She soon developed a wound on her right foot and the infection was so bad that her bones could be seen.

She could not move around freely and her brother had to carry her around for her daily activities including going to the toilet and having meals.

She sought consultation from several hospitals and amputation was recommended.

Keen on saving her foot, Thanalechumy sought a second opinion at PAH as recommended by a friend.

“I received aid from the Dr. J. Earl Gardner Fund and was admitted for daily dressing and antibiotics treatment.

“I could not walk around before this and depended on crutches in the beginning.

“Now, my wound is healing. It is merely the size of a 20 sen coin.

“Though I am still unable to stand for long hours, I can walk around without any aid and am now looking for a job, ” she said.

Lee and Thanalechumy were among the patients who received financial aid from PAH to treat their injuries.

Over 1,000 guests attended the event and were entertained with song and dance performances.

In his speech, PAH board chairman Pastor Somchai Chuenjit unveiled the five-year expansion plan for a 12-storey tower block and a seven-storey car park to support the growing number of patients.

“The tower block will offer additional 322 beds and 74 clinics.

“PAH’s journey of healing began on Dec 12,1924, and had evolved to become a tertiary healthcare facility today.

“As of October 2019, we have disbursed more than RM2mil to the needy in our community.

“Dr J. Earl Gardner Fund has disbursed more than RM3mil to patients suffering from chronic illness and major surgeries, ” he said.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that the state government endorsed ‘Healthy Penang’, a PAH project that would commence in March.

“Healthy Penang will serve as a platform to encourage Penangites to maintain a healthy weight through state-wide weight loss programmes, education, rewards and physical activities.

“Our country has the second highest child obesity rate among children aged between five and 19 years in Asean countries. Malaysia is also currently the ‘fattest’ nation in Asia.

“The state hopes that this project is able to raise awareness about overweight and obesity issues among our community to achieve a ‘Healthy Penang’ as our ultimate target.

“Various information and knowledge shared through complementary health talks and health screening will not only benefit the people in our state but also our country at large, ” he said.

Also present was PAH chief executive officer Ronald Koh.