JERANTUT: What was meant to be a family holiday in Vietnam has turned into a nightmare for a Jerantut Veterinary Department officer, who is now critically ill in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
His cousin, Azira Dzulkifli, 44, said the family urgently needs financial assistance to cover medical and surgical expenses estimated at RM100,000, including the cost of bringing him back to Malaysia.
Azira said 25 family members had travelled to Ho Chi Minh City on Sept 15 and returned to Malaysia on Sept 18, but Mohamad Basri had to remain behind to continue treatment.
“On Sept 17, after returning from sightseeing around the city, my cousin complained of a severe headache upon reaching the hotel at around 5pm. He was given paracetamol but soon after began vomiting.
“I immediately sought help from the hotel staff to call an ambulance. The ambulance arrived at a cost of RM500 (3,000,000 VND) and took him to hospital,” she said when contacted today.
She said initial checks revealed that Mohamad Basri had high blood pressure before being referred to FV Hospital. A CT scan later showed bleeding in the brainstem caused by a ruptured microaneurysm and hypertension.
“Doctors informed us that his condition was critical and treatment could only continue after we made an initial payment of RM16,000 (100,000,000 VND). He later underwent External Ventricular Drainage surgery, which cost another RM10,000.
“Although the surgery was successful, my cousin must remain in ICU for several more days, with the total cost of treatment estimated at RM90,000. The Malaysian consulate there has also been providing assistance by monitoring his condition,” she said.
Meanwhile, Basri’s wife, Husna Abdul Hamid, 36, said she had initially bought a ticket to Vietnam but cancelled her trip as she is six months pregnant with their first child after 15 years of marriage. She was advised not to travel due to health risks.
“I am appealing for public donations to help cover the huge cost of my husband’s medical treatment and surgery. I am a housewife with no income, and my family members also have limited means.
“What worries me most is that the expenses — including treatment, surgery and bringing him home — will exceed RM100,000, which I simply cannot afford,” she said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
