Roti canai vendor struggles to fund son's heart surgery

A roti canai vendor in Besut, Malaysia, faces a desperate race against time to fund his infant son's critical heart surgery. Roziana Husain, 38, and her husband Farid Fakimi Mohamad are scrambling to gather the remaining RM7,700 needed for their one-year-old son, Muhammad Firas Anaqi Farid Fakimi's, procedure.

The family's financial strain is immense. The total cost for the surgery at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur is RM55,000. While a subsidy covered RM47,300, the couple still needs to provide the substantial balance. Their income as roti canai vendors is unpredictable, making it difficult to save the required amount within the tight deadline.

“

We don't have much time left before Firas needs to undergo surgery, but we still don't have enough money. My husband and I are truly at a loss.

"We don't have much time left before Firas needs to undergo surgery, but we still don't have enough money. My husband and I are truly at a loss," Roziana told reporters. The couple has applied for government assistance but has yet to receive a response. Their savings are only sufficient for travel and accommodation expenses to the hospital.

This is not the first time the family has faced such a challenge. Their elder son, Muhammad Fayyadh Anaqi, 4, also has a heart condition and underwent major surgery in March. Roziana expressed hope for public assistance to ensure Muhammad Firas Anaqi receives the necessary treatment on schedule. Donations can be made to account number 2006363000084145 (Agro Bank) under the name Farid Fakimi, or by contacting Roziana at 019-4097958.

“

The savings we have are only enough to cover accommodation and travel costs to IJN. Now we don't know how to find the money for the remaining surgery costs.