Malnourished baby on island

KUCHING: Hope Place, in collaboration with social workers from Klinik Kesihatan Batu Kawa and nurses from Klinik Kesihatan Santubong, recently assisted a family in Salak Island whose baby is suffering from malnutrition.

In a statement, the NGO said that one-year-old Nurqalini Batrisha Mohd Ayub is severely underweight and might be facing additional health complications.

Nurqalini, living with her family in Kampung Salak, was diagnosed with failure to thrive, a serious form of malnutrition.

“She appears very small for her age and, according to her mother, Nursyafika, 28, Nurqalini has a poor appetite, consuming only small amounts of milk or porridge,” it said.

No further health issues were identified in Nurqalini following a comprehensive examination.

Her father, Mohd Ayub, 32, a fisherman, faces fluctuating income due to variable weather, tides, and sea conditions.

To supplement his earnings, Ayub also sells firewood.

The social workers and nurses suspect that the entire family suffers from nutritional deficiencies, noting that Nurqalini’s three siblings, aged between four and twelve, also look undersized for their age.

The family primarily subsists on small fish and wild vegetables found on the island.

Hakimi, the four-year-old sibling, has been experiencing speech delays; yet comprehensive tests by specialists have been unaffordable due to financial constraints.

“Ayub’s average earnings, about RM1,000 on a good month, make it difficult to afford specialist check-ups. The family also incurs high costs due to their reliance on boats for transportation to buy groceries or visit the nearest hospital,” it added.

Hope Place has provided the family with milk powder and food aid and educated them on a balanced diet and essential vitamins for maintaining health.

Hope Place or Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching (PKHK) can be contacted at 082-505987 or 013-5672775.

Receipts will be issued upon request.

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