Family would’ve been in dire straits if not for subsidy

Grateful: Chong on an outing with his wife Vivi and their three children.

PETALING JAYA: Tending to two durian farms in Kampung Sang Lee, Chong Kooi Long makes just enough to support his family. The 48-year-old found his other half – Vivi Tsia – by chance more than 10 years ago.

He proposed to her after several years of courtship and got married at the age of 40.

The couple were blessed with three children, aged three, four and six.

Due to his poor family background, Chong did not complete his secondary education.

Without wanting to burden his elderly parents, he decided to look for a permanent job with a steady income.

A friend suggested to him to seek greener pastures in a neighbouring country. So Chong, who was then in his 20s, packed his bags and left for Singapore.

He started out as a kitchen ­helper before moving on to become a cook in a restaurant. After about five years there with some money saved, Chong decided to return home.

While back in his hometown, he took up part-time jobs before becoming a full-time salesman.

“Several years ago, things took a drastic turn when I was diagnosed with a liver infection as a result of the hepatitis B virus.

“Doctors said I had eaten too much raw food while working in Singapore,” he said.

Chong said initially, he sought treatment at a private clinic in Bentong on a regular basis. But the cost of medication was very high, at about RM1,000 a month, and due to this, most of his ­savings were slowly used up.

“So I asked the doctor to write me a referral letter to the PPUM (University Malaya Medical Centre).

“Now, I just have to pay a fraction of the cost, about RM370, for six months of medication,” he said, adding that the treatment includes blood tests and ultrasound scans.

Chong said he is extremely grateful with such assistance rendered by the Government, without which he would have difficulty in caring for his family.

His wife took up part-time jobs to help support the family as his three children needed to go to kindergarten.

“I hope the Government will look after more people facing hardship like me. We would be in dire straits without the subsidy on the cost of treatment and medication,” he said.

Chong said the service at PPUM is good and on par with that of private hospitals, which are rather costly.

“Due to my condition, I could not work as hard as I used to, and age is also catching up.

“Besides, I need to take medicine every day for the rest of my life to prevent the infection from getting worse.

“My hope now is to see my children grow up,” said Chong, who is now eating well and healthy.

But he may soon be jobless as one of the durian orchard owners has told him he is no longer ­needed as there are no more fruits left. 

Raub MCA Public Complaints Bureau head Ng Leap Pong said he will try to assist the family in applying for welfare aid.

Another patient facing similar financial difficulty is Mohd Al-Hafiz Abdul Aziz of Kampung Lengkong in Karak.

The 31-year-old is now bed­ridden and his parents have to feed and bathe him every day.

About two years ago, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and needed to go for regular medical check-ups at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

Pahang MIC chairman Datuk R. Goonasakaren, who paid the needy family a visit, said the parents have 10 other children.

“I will write in to the health authorities to assist the family to waive all medical charges,” he said, adding that he will also meet the doctors attending to Mohd Al-Hafiz to find out about his condition. 

Currently, Mohd Al-Hafiz needs to be fed with a special milk solution, which is expensive, due to his weak condition.