Grieving mother kept in the dark over deceased son

KUALA LUMPUR: A single mother is currently seeking closure for the death of her only child due to alleged negligence while under the care of a welfare home at Kelana Jaya.
The teary-eyed 43-year old night market peddler, Chok Siew Kin, was seen clutching the framed photograph of her 6-year-old son, Chok Boon Hao at a press conference here at Wisma MCA today.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Seri Michael Chong who was also present, said that Chok did not receive any apology or explanation whatsoever from the home and she has since lodged a police report on the grounds of child negligence.
Chok who was visibly distraught, said that she was devastated and shocked at the unexpected death of her son, whom she affectionately referred to as Ah Hao.
The boy had been staying at the home since November 2014 and Chok last saw him a week before his death.
"On February 17 around 11am, I received a call from the welfare home's caretaker known as 'Auntie', informing me that my son was down with a fever.
"I immediately asked her whether my son had seen a doctor and she confirmed that he had visited the doctor three times and that I should not be worried about him as it was just a common fever," she said.
Chok nonetheless said that she felt uneasy and decided to visit the home the next day to bring him back to celebrate the new year.
She then received a frantic call the following morning from the children of the home saying that her son was not responding to their calls and had been admitted to a hospital.
"When they told me that they tried pulling his ears for a response but did not receive any, I knew something was not right.
"So I immediately called the 'Auntie' who confirmed that my son had been taken to a nearby hospital and asked me to rush over there.
Chok then broke down in tears when she saw the 'Auntie' and an ambulance at the entrance, with the boy's lifeless body nearby.
Unfortunately for Chok, her son had been pronounced dead upon arrival, having passed away on February 18 due to dengue fever.
"We are currently investigating whether the welfare home is liable for negligence as the child was under its care at that time and we are considering legal action against them.
"What we want is closure for Chok who has been treated unfairly," Chong said.
Chong also reminded parents to take extra precautions to protect their children especially during this current dengue outbreak in the nation.