KUCHING: On Aug 28, 2023, Mohamad Syafiq Mohamad Ali Hanaffiah, 34, cheated death while trying to save a boy during a fire but tragically ended up sustaining severe third-degree burns over 75 per cent of his body.
More than a year on, he is still bedridden while undergoing an unbearably painful recovery process.
The heartbreaking and courageous story of this Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) volunteer has received the attention of local media and Sarawak's elected representatives.
However, the one person who is struggling daily to manage Mohamad Syafiq's treatment is his mother, Julia Jemat, 56, who is also a single parent of six.
According to Julia, her fourth child was discharged from the hospital at the end of November last year and is currently undergoing burn rehabilitation at home with treatment costs fully sponsored by the Teddy Medical Clinic.
"His wounds need to be dressed every two days and Syafiq has to be strong because it is a very painful process. It breaks my heart to see him screaming in pain. He is also unable to sleep due to the pain.
"We were informed that the wounds on his body would take a year to dry up and a full recovery would take three years," she said when met at her home recently.
Julia, who works as a cook at the Kuching Narcotics Rehabilitation Centre (PUSPEN) said her income is insufficient to cover his treatment which costs about RM3,000 per month in terms of just medicine and food.
"The doctor has now suggested physiotherapy because he cannot move on his own and needs to have at least two or three sessions weekly. This would be an additional cost of about RM3,000 per month," said Julia, who also sells nasi lemak to earn extra income.
Previously, it was reported that Sarawak's Minister of Women, Children, and Community Welfare, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, and Batu Kitang Assemblyman, Datuk Lo Khere Chiang visited the family and gave assurances that Mohamad Syafiq would be provided suitable treatment.
"It is painful for me to witness his suffering and the burden is heavier to bear. But I am grateful to YB (Yang Berhormat) who visited us and extended help. It eased our application to the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and Baitulmal.
"YB Fatimah, through JKM, provided a bed, diapers, special milk formula, and a monthly allowance of RM500 for him starting this February," she said, adding that she is also a caregiver for one of her children who has epilepsy.
She added that Baitulmal and welfare organisation Hope Place Kuching have also donated equipment, food baskets, and cash. Narrating the tragedy of the fire that engulfed five houses in the Batu Kawa People's Housing Project (RPR), Julia said Mohamad Syafiq's pure intention of braving the raging fire to save a boy is not surprising because he is a light-hearted person, even from childhood, and hated to see people in trouble.
