Neoh says a 13-member medical team from India performed surgeries at Penang General Hospital, benefitting 23 children.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital is appealing for donors or sponsors to support its Miracle Baby Programme (MBP).
UTAR Hospital board member Datuk Neoh Soon Bin said the programme provided free congenital heart surgeries to young patients from underprivileged families.
He said children born with congenital heart disease were also tomorrow’s future leaders.
“They deserve every opportunity to live normal, active lives.
“Giving these babies and children a chance to recover and lead a healthy life is the biggest gift we can possibly give to them,” Neoh said in his speech during an appreciation dinner for the second edition of the programme in George Town, Penang.
“I hope other donors and sponsors will come forward in support of the programme, so that more underprivileged babies and children can receive the heart surgeries and medical treatment they so desperately need.”
MBP was founded by UTAR chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.
It is a collaboration between UTAR, Penang General Hospital, Health Ministry and Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital (SSSSH) in India, which is renowned for its congenital heart surgeries and charitable work for the community.
It has been reported that congenital heart diseases are one of the most common types of birth defects and it is estimated that between 4,000 and 5,000 out of 500,000 babies born in Malaysia each year suffer from it.
MBP 2.0, the second edition of the programme, was launched by Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim at Penang General Hospital and benefitted 23 children.
The first edition of MBP in 2022 successfully treated 18 babies and children.
Neoh, who sponsored about RM200,000 for MBP 2.0, said a 13-member medical team from SSSSH, led by its chief paediatric cardiac surgeon Dr Ragini Pandey, performed the surgeries on the children.
“The medical team from India is willing to work pro bono, and we accelerated access of more paediatric patients to life-saving surgeries without the heavy financial burden,” said Neoh.
“Sometimes, in our busy lives, we forget about the long queues and high medical cost faced by parents of babies with congenital heart diseases.
“Many have to wait at government hospitals, especially those whose families cannot afford private medical care.
“I am truly honoured to be able to sponsor the programme and I am deeply moved by its positive impact on the lives of the patients and their families.”
For sponsorship or donor inquiries, contact MBP coordinator Prof Dr Ng Teck Han at ngth@utar.edu.my
