Even though the situation nowadays may seem like it is a very hard world to live in, but people have to still got faith and hope because there are still many kind-hearted people out there who are willing to help anyone. This is what happened towards a family when great people all around the world have raised a total of RM1.2 million for a particular Malaysian premature baby born in Singapore. Surprisingly, the amount was achieved one day after the urgent fundraiser was announced.
The Penang-based organization that is the One Hope Charity & Welfare said in a statement, “Both her parents and the public from all over the world have given the infant who was born at just 24 weeks the faith to fight for her life”. The specific charity has achieved its goal within 29 hours of announcing the donation campaign on its website.
The statement mentioned that the donation did not only received from donors in Malaysia, but contributions also came from Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, the United States, and many other countries, giving blessings to the baby. The premature baby was born in Singapore at the age of 24 weeks old after her parents who worked there did not manage to return to Malaysia in time before the baby got delivered.
The parents have actually planned to deliver the child back in Sungai Petani, Kedah when the baby was at least 32 weeks pregnant. Unfortunately, the plan did not go well because, on the 22nd of February, the mother went through preterm labor at only 24 weeks after a few days of experiencing abdominal pain. She was then rushed to a hospital in Singapore where her daughter was delivered in an emergency.
The premature baby weighed only 670g and was the size of an adult hand when delivered. Even though the body of the baby appeared to be fully developed, they said many of her internal organs such as her lungs and also her brain were not functioning well. She was admitted to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) immediately to be placed in an incubator and be given breathing aid.
They said, “Her skin was nearly transparent so that her bloodstream can be seen with the naked eye. Not only must she be taken great care of, she has to be constantly monitored even for the most minute changes”. The doctors then advised the parents that the baby has to stay in an incubator until she reaches an appropriate gestational age and that may take another 160 days. Because of that, the new parents seek the help of ‘One Hope Charity’ when they found out the medical fee was estimated to be RM1.25 million for the whole duration.
So far, the baby’s growth and development, fortunately, have been positive. The charity announced, “Her body weight has gradually increased, and the baby can be safely incubated until her growth development is stable”. They also added, “If her condition is stable, the hospital can arrange for her transfer back to a hospital in Malaysia for observation”.
Sources: One Hope Charity & Welfare.