20-year-old heart patient aspires to recover fully, become policeman

DUNGUN: "If possible, I want to be like how I was before, to be able to go to school or anywhere without any aid," says Mohd Hamirul Mohd Rosdi.
Mohd Hamirul, 20, from Kampung Pinang Merah, Paka, here, was forced to rely on a ventricular assist device (VAD) having been diagnosed with heart disease five years ago, due to the swelling and leaks in both heart valves.
"I want to re-sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) beacause I aspire to be a policeman...I want to succeed and repay my family members who have sacrificed so much for me."
"Actually, I have sat twice for SPM in 2014 and 2015...but I could not receive a certificate as I could not complete all the papers due to the heart attacks I suffered," he said.
He was met at his home after receiving treatment from doctors and nurses from the National Heart Institute (IJN) today.
The third of seven siblings suffered further setback after suffering a stroke in July last year, which caused him to be placed in the intensive care unit after being in coma for three weeks.
"I am content with this challenge...I am strong because my family is always by my side, and mother and brother always tell me to remain spirited and strong through all these challenges.
"I have never given up hope, I want to recover and be normal as before...I was in a coma, unable to walk...but I'm strong," he said.
Meanwhile IJN cardiologist Datuk Dr Azmee Mohd Ghazi said he was pleased with the positive development shown by Mohd Hamirul from day to day.
"Thank God, Mohd Hamirul is becoming more stable and healthier by the day...before, he was unable to walk, today he can walk, although its still not perfect.
"His heart is also more stable, and if we look at Hamirul's situation when he suffered the stroke, he was in a rather bad condition...he is a strong man," he said.
Azmee said Mohd Hamirul, who had undergone mechanical heart surgery five years ago, was still on the waiting list for a suitable heart.
"We put all patients with these mechanical hearts on the list for transplants...however, it is more complicated for patients who have suffered a stroke to undergo a heart transplant.
"For Hamirul, we want him to be really stable, and once he fully recovers from the stroke, a heart transplant can be carried out if there is a suitable heart. But in the present circumstances, a transplant still isn't possible," he said.
Meawnhile, Mohd Hamirul's mother, Norhaliza Yusof, 50, said she was grateful to IJN and the IJN Foundation for checking-up on her son.
"I am grateful when IJN comes here to treat Hamirul, this is the second time...if not, we would have to take Hamirul there ourselves.
"Thank God, Hamirul can now walk slowly and has begun talking. He undergoes reflexology treatment at the Dungun Hospital once a week for his legs and hands, while every three months, he undergoes speech therapy at the Kemaman Hospital," she said.
Norhaliza, whose husband died in June last year, said she hoped that the Social Welfare Department could expedite assistance to cover the costs of her son's medical expenses.
"I do not work, indeed, each time we undergo any treatment there are costs... I hope the department can help," she said, adding the aid had been applied for since last year.
Norhaliza also received medical assistance in cash from IJN Foundation senior executive Siti Fairus Abd Mohamed. — Bernama