But this has not been the case for a Vietnamese couple Hram Chan Zel and Lal Nun Siam, both 26, who have been in Malaysia for more than 10 years.
When their baby girl, Lal Pek Hiu, was born in December, she was diagnosed with congenital atrial septal defect – a hole in the heart.
She also has patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The ductus arteriosus, an opening that is part of the baby’s blood-flow system in the womb, usually closes shortly after birth; if it doesn’t, it results in PDA.
Baby Pek Hiu has been in the intensive care unit for more than five weeks, with catheters inserted in her nose and mouth. She critically needs surgery, the cost of which is estimated to be RM80,000.
The amount is too much for Hram, an electrician, to bear. To compound matters, he is presently unable to work as he needs to care for Nun Siam, who is still weak owing to pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Unsurprisingly, the ordeal has left the couple struggling to cope. They have no other family members here.
As such, Hram and Nun Siam have sought the assistance of Pusat Kebajikan Amal Da Ai, a non-governmental organisation that aims to help disabled and special-needs individuals, as well as families going through difficult times, through crowdfunding and other means.
Da Ai case worker Yumi Hwang told FMT that the organisation hopes to raise funds for the surgery as soon as possible.
She explained that the procedures are to close the hole in Pek Hiu’s heart, as well as to ligate the PDA to avoid heart failure and pressure from building up in her lungs.
As of press time, Da Ai has not calculated the amount they have received so far. But time is of the essence, Hwang said, as the condition of baby Pek Hiu – who is currently at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur – is getting worse.
“Although Pek Hiu is only two months old, she has experienced much pain and suffering. She is still in the ICU, waiting for her surgery, and we hope everyone can help save this little life together,” Hwang added.
To donate towards baby Pek Hiu’s surgery, kindly contact Yumi Hwang at 016-964 9766 or email [email protected].