GEORGE TOWN: Form Four student T. Kavinraj has been vomiting the food and liquid he takes in since March last year due to a rare disease known as Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) syndrome.
The 16-year-old who is from Balik Pulau, has been in and out of hospitals since then and his weight had dropped from 45kg to 31kg.
His father S. Thangrajan, 47, a lorry driver, said Kavinraj, who is the youngest of two children, had started complaining of a severe headache in March last year which was followed by continuous vomiting.
"He is unable to hold down any food or liquid and I had taken him to three different hospitals and my son underwent numerous scans before one of the doctors found out about his condition.
"The doctors had advised my son to undergo surgery as soon as possible and his surgery was scheduled for this Wednesday (Jan 11).
"However, they had to postpone it indefinitely as Kavinraj is still under-nourished to go through the surgery," he said when contacted on Monday (Jan 9).
SMA syndrome is a rare disease defined as compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery.
Thangrajan said Kavinraj's surgery is expected to cost about RM150,000 and so far, he has been able to come up with about RM50,000 which is from his medical insurance and donations by well-wishers.
"As a lorry driver, my monthly income is about RM3,500 and as I am the sole breadwinner in my family, I am unable to raise the balance amount as I have also exhausted most of the amount allowed under my medical insurance card," he said.
Thangrajan's wife S. Valarmathee, 43, is a housewife and the couple has an 18-year-old daughter too.
Those wishing to help Kavinraj, may contact Thangrajan at 016-732 3576.
