30 minutes would have been too late

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KUALA LUMPUR: Muhammad Adam Haiqal Zaidi's life was hanging by a thread when he was wheeled into the operating theatre at Gleneagles Medical Centre in Penang at 9am on Aug 2.

The 37-day-old baby's surgeons were anxious to begin as soon as possible as minutes would have made the difference between life and death.

In fact, a doctor later told Adam's father, Zaidi Abdul Hamid, that his son would have died had the ambulance been 30 minutes late.

The baby was born with congenital heart disease with his great arteries reversed with two holes in his heart.

Adam was in the operating theatre until 5pm before the operation was over -- and he was given a new lease on life.

When news came from the operating theatre at 5pm that the surgery had been a success and that Adam was on the road to recovery, Zaidi and his wife, Rohana Sakiman were overjoyed.

But it would be touch and go for six days before doctors gave Adam a clean bill of health.

Adam's story of poor health began when the newborn drank milk and then went to sleep, not waking until his next feed. The couple thought this was normal until Adam had jaundice and became drained of energy, sometimes finding it difficult to breathe.

Zaidi and Rohana knew something was wrong and made an appointment to see consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Hafiz Law Ing Aii who told them that Adam needed immediate surgery or their son would not see his first birthday.

Adam was first admitted to the intensive care unit at Penang Hospital for 10 days and then transferred to Gleneagles Medical Centre which was equipped for the complex surgery.

The operation would cost RM42,000, a sum the couple could not come up with as Zaidi earned about RM800 a month as a contractor.

Fortunately, the medical centre brought Adam's plight to the attention of New Straits Times Press charity unit senior executive Aidah Nordin.

She then passed Adam's case and that of two others to SapuraAcergy Sdn Bhd, a contractor for the offshore oil and gas industry, which has a record of helping charitable organisations.

Adam is now a bouncing baby who brings joy to his parents every day with his chuckles and smiles.

Last Wednesday, company marketing and communications manager Fadzlina Tokiman presented a cheque for RM15,000 to the couple at Balai Berita

"This is the first time we are donating money for such cases although we have been donating food and other items to orphanages and children's homes annually."

She said the company looked forward to helping more such children in future.

Despite Sapura's help, RM27,000 is still needed to settle dues with the hospital.

Those who wish to help can send cheques, made payable to The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, to: The Cashier, Finance Department/Charity Unit, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, Balai Berita, No. 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.