RM1.2 million raised for premature Malaysian baby in Singapore

 

The premature baby and her mother, Koh Pei Ying, 29, at a Singapore hospital recently. (OneHope charity pic)

SINGAPORE: Wellwishers have raised RM1.2 million for a premature Malaysian baby born in Singapore after just 24 weeks of pregnancy.

A Penang-based organisation, One Hope Charity and Welfare, which conducted the donation campaign, said money was received from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, the United States and other countries within 29 hours.

The palm-sized baby, named Eloise Ang Xuan Rui, weighed only 670 grammes when born. However, her body weight has gradually increased, and she can be safely incubated until her growth development is complete,” the charity said.

“If her condition is stable, the hospital can arrange for transfer to a hospital in Malaysia for observation,” it said.

It said the baby’s skin was nearly transparent when she was born, “so that her bloodstream can be seen with the naked eye. Not only must she be handled with great care, she has to be constantly monitored even for the most minute changes. Many of her organs have not fully developed yet, including her lungs and her brain,” the charity said.

One Hope Charity said the medical fee was estimated around S$400,000 or equivalent to about RM1.25 million. The parents, who both work in the republic, can only raise about RM50,000.

The mother Koh Pei Ying, 29, gave birth to Eloise on Feb 22 at 3am, after suffering abdominal pain since Feb 19. - FMT