1MCA Medical Foundation donates cash for desperate man’s surgery

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LABOURER Wong Chong Seng, who sustained serious injuries on his legs from a road accident recently, may be walking again but his ordeal is far from over.

His doctor told him that he could become paralysed at any moment, unless he had surgery to insert metal plates in his legs.

Time is not on his side but he simply does not have the money for the surgery that costs RM9,850.

For a good cause: Dr Chua (fourth from left) accepting a mock cheque for RM250,000 on behalf of the 1MCA Medical Foundation from Gopeng MCA division chairman Albert Chang (second from right) during a fundraising dinner for the foundation in Ipoh. Looking on are (from left) deputy division chairman Alex Chan Chin Chee, Perak MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, Ngan Yin Groundnut Factory Sdn Bhd representative Yoong Lai Mun, HRA Teguh Sdn Bhd and Earthwork System Sdn Bhd representative Ng Ah Boey and state MCA secretary Datuk Tan Chin Meng.

Wong’s ordeal finally came to an end last Saturday when he received a cheque for that much needed sum from MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek at a charity dinner in Gunung Rapat, Ipoh.

Appeared to be still in a daze after he came down from the stage, the 46-year-old Wong related his ordeal to reporters and said he was grateful to the party.

He added that he hoped to undergo the surgery at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh as soon as possible.

Dr Chua said the money, from the 1MCA Medical Foundation, was meant to help needy patients in their difficult times so that they could return to normal life.

He said 450 needy patients had received help from the foundation since its launch by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak about a year ago.

“As a doctor who had practised for 17 years before going into politics full-time, I know that many patients just need a few thousands of ringgit to get past a difficult phase in life.

“They need the money for medicine, equipment or surgery before they can return to normal life,” said Dr Chua.

By helping an individual in need, it would mean so much not only to the individual concerned but also to his family, society and country, he said, pointing out that this was what a caring society was all about.

As a Chinese-based party, Dr Chua said MCA had taken upon itself to set a good example by reaching out to those in need irrespective of race or religion.

Picture perfect: Dr Chua (second left) admiring the entries of a photography contest organised by the Gopeng MCA division after opening the division’s 1MCA Medical Foundation charity dinner in Ipoh on Saturday. With him are (from left) division chairman Albert Chang, Wanita division chief Yew Sau Kam and deputy division chief Alex Chan Chin Chee.

He said 25% of the 450 patients who got help under the foundation were Malays and Indians.

To top up the fund, Dr Chua said the party’s divisions had embarked on a fund-raising campaign.

The charity dinner last Saturday, which was organised by Gopeng MCA division, had raised RM250,000.

Dr Chua said the party had not stopped serving the people despite the setback in the last general election.

“The MCA might not be perfect but it certainly has the people’s interest at heart,” he said.