JOHOR BARU: A seven-month-old baby girl underwent corrective surgery for a cleft lip on Wednesday and is now recovering at home under the care of her grandmother, Normah Asinar.
State Women, Family, and Community Development Committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail confirmed that the surgery at Sultanah Aminah Hospital was successful, with funding provided by the Johor administration and the State Islamic Religious Council.
State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail said the child was admitted to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital on Monday (March 11).
"The surgery was a success and the baby is now with her 68-year-old grandmother at home," she said.
Khairin-Nisa mentioned that the State Social Welfare Department had increased child assistance benefits to aid Normah in managing expenses for her grandchildren.
"We had also helped with the (older) children with their school agreements, with the help from the state agencies and non-government-organisations namely the Johor Women's League (Jewel)."
Expressing her gratitude, Normah said: "A burden has been lifted now that my youngest granddaughter can drink her milk without any complications, while my other grandchildren are being helped with their schooling arrangements."
Although she cannot read and sometimes gets stressed over not understanding the process, Normah apologised for any unintended misunderstandings during the assistance process.
She also expressed her belief that arrangements were being made for the infant's birth certificate.
The four older siblings, aged between seven and 11, are under Normah's custody, as their mother was deemed unfit due to drug addiction, while their biological father is incarcerated for drug-related offenses.
