MCA Penang State

Saturday July 23, 2011

PENANG MCA has stepped forward to help the family of visually impaired Lu Ching Hong, 12, who is suffering from a rare skin disease known as the Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

This condition affects the eye.

Penang MCA secretary Lau Chiek Tuan told the boy’s mother Ong Goay Har, 39, that he would do his best to obtain aid from the 1MCA Medical Foundation. He said the fund’s administrator would release the money to the hospital where the boy is seeking treatment after the doctors endorses the family’s application form. Lau said this after visiting Ching Hong at his house in Taman Perwira, Permatang Tinggi near here on Thursday. Permatang Tinggi village security and development committee chairman Ong You Hock accompanied him. Lau visited the boy following a report in The Star on July 15 about the plight of the 12-year-old. The lad from SRK (C) Permatang Tinggi pupil was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year.

Doctors had warned that the boy faced the risk of losing his eyesight permanently.

He was also advised by the doctors to remain indoors after he complained of a burning sensation in both his eyes. Lau also said that the family could also claim from the same fund for the proposed follow-up treatment in Singapore, provided they have exhausted all means to find a cure here. Ching Hong has been suffering from blurred vision on his left eye for the last three weeks, and he is being treated at the Penang Hospital and the one in Sungai Buloh.

He was advised to use contact lenses but he needs to change the lens on a weekly basis.

Ong informed Lau that the family had spent more than RM50,000 at a private hospital in Penang to seek treatment for the syndrome.

The boy is scheduled to undergo eye surgery at the Sungai Buloh Hospital next Tuesday.

The family has also obtained an appointment with the Singapore International Eye Centre on Aug 3 for a second opinion.