A single mother from Kampung Tanah Merah Lama in Machang, Kelantan, is seeking assistance from the public, especially to buy an adjustable bed, for her ailing youngest child who has been sleeping on the floor.

Siti Zubaidah Mohd Ali, 56, said her daughter Nur Athirah Najihah Ibrahim, 18, was bed-ridden since she was nine months old after suffering from a brain infection.

“She was born premature and was warded in the neonatal intensive care unit at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital, Kubang Kerian, for two months before she was discharged. However, she later had a high fever for a week,” the mother of four children aged 18 to 34 told reporters when met at her rented house today.

Siti Zubaidah added that Nur Athirah Najihah was later confirmed to have a bacterial infection, which resulted in the removal of part of her left brain in early 2003.

Things are getting hard for the family as the mother had to give up her business two years ago due to diabetes, low blood pressure and nerve problems, and they are now depending on the RM350 assistance from the Social Welfare Department to make ends meet including buying daily necessities for Nur Athirah Najihah.

“Besides that, I have the RM250 monthly house rent to pay.

“I do get food orders from the villagers to enable me to earn about RM150 per month, depending on demand,” she said, adding that her three other children also suffered from chronic diseases, including colon and kidney cancer.

Those who wish to donate to the family can do so via Agro Bank account number 2006672000092426 in the name of Siti Zubaidah Mohd Ali or contact her at 0179645289.

- Bernama