2010/02/28
By Teresa Yong
KUALA LUMPUR: Accident victim Nurul Ain Nabilah Amran, 12, has spent the past six months re-learning how to smile -- literally. Nine years ago, Nabilah was in a car accident in Labis, Johor.
She and her mother, Hazleah Md Salleh, 36, were flung out of their car in a collision with another car that swerved into their path.
Nabilah was then hit by another car, suffering laceration wounds to the upper right side of her face and a fracture of the middle ear, resulting in permanent palsy.
"This is why she's not able to smile," explained Pantai Medical Centre consultant plastic surgeon Dr Kim K. Tan.
Her parents spared no effort in seeking help for her, going in and out of hospitals and even resorting to traditional healers, but to no avail.
Nabilah's 42-year-old father, Amran Mohd Zain, a contractor earning RM2,000 a month, spent nearly RM100,000 on various treatments.
"It was only when I needed to get a doctor's letter for Nabilah's insurance claims that somebody recommended Dr Tan," he said.
Dr Tan first saw Nabilah in March last year and recommended reconstructive surgery to try and reconnect the nerves. The surgery was to cost RM30,000.
"The proposed treatment was to carry out an operation called "reanimation of the face".
"This would involve harvesting a muscle with its artery, vein and nerve from deep inside the thigh, transplanting with microsurgery to the right side of the face, and connecting up the blood vessels and nerve to functioning vessels and a nerve in the right side of the face.
"This would give her the best chance of developing a voluntary smile on the right side of her face.
"She would also need further work to her right upper eyelid and lower eyelid to help her close her eye."
Dr Tan referred Nabilah's family to NSTP charity unit, which publicised her appeal in the New Straits Times, Harian Metro and Berita Harian on June 3.
Following that, Grand Merger Network and Services sent a money order for RM30,000 for her medical expenses.
On June 9, Dr Tan performed two surgeries -- skin-grafting, and reconnection of the nerves and muscles.
"It takes time for the nerves to grow and she has to relearn how to smile by using a new set of nerves.
"She's almost done and we now need to review her case every six months for tidying up cosmetic corrections.
"She is doing well," said Dr Tan, who performed the six-hour operation with consultant plastic surgeons Dr Yap Lok Huei and Dr Margaret Leow.
Nabilah, a Year Six pupil of SK Sg Kanang, Kuantan, is now practising how to smile again every day.
"I am so happy that I can now smile. I thank Dr Tan for his support and encouragement," she said.
Amran conveyed his family's gratitude to NSTP and NST readers for their financial help. "We would also like to thank Dr Tan for all that he has done for our daughter.
"Before meeting him, we were told of options such as seeking treatment for Nabilah, either in China or India. But the estimated cost was between RM300,000 and RM600,000.
"As a token of our gratitude and appreciation, we are donating RM10,000 in Nabilah's name to the NSTP to help fund similar cases."
The contribution is part of the insurance compensation paid out to Nabilah.
Those who wish to help other needy patients can send cheques made payable to The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, to The Cashier, Finance Department/Charity Unit, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, Balai Berita, No. 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
* Artikel ini dipetik dari News Straits Times bertarikh 01/03/2010
By Teresa Yong
KUALA LUMPUR: Accident victim Nurul Ain Nabilah Amran, 12, has spent the past six months re-learning how to smile -- literally. Nine years ago, Nabilah was in a car accident in Labis, Johor.
She and her mother, Hazleah Md Salleh, 36, were flung out of their car in a collision with another car that swerved into their path.
Nabilah was then hit by another car, suffering laceration wounds to the upper right side of her face and a fracture of the middle ear, resulting in permanent palsy.
"This is why she's not able to smile," explained Pantai Medical Centre consultant plastic surgeon Dr Kim K. Tan.
Her parents spared no effort in seeking help for her, going in and out of hospitals and even resorting to traditional healers, but to no avail.
Nabilah's 42-year-old father, Amran Mohd Zain, a contractor earning RM2,000 a month, spent nearly RM100,000 on various treatments.
"It was only when I needed to get a doctor's letter for Nabilah's insurance claims that somebody recommended Dr Tan," he said.
Dr Tan first saw Nabilah in March last year and recommended reconstructive surgery to try and reconnect the nerves. The surgery was to cost RM30,000.
"The proposed treatment was to carry out an operation called "reanimation of the face".
"This would involve harvesting a muscle with its artery, vein and nerve from deep inside the thigh, transplanting with microsurgery to the right side of the face, and connecting up the blood vessels and nerve to functioning vessels and a nerve in the right side of the face.
"This would give her the best chance of developing a voluntary smile on the right side of her face.
"She would also need further work to her right upper eyelid and lower eyelid to help her close her eye."
Dr Tan referred Nabilah's family to NSTP charity unit, which publicised her appeal in the New Straits Times, Harian Metro and Berita Harian on June 3.
Following that, Grand Merger Network and Services sent a money order for RM30,000 for her medical expenses.
On June 9, Dr Tan performed two surgeries -- skin-grafting, and reconnection of the nerves and muscles.
"It takes time for the nerves to grow and she has to relearn how to smile by using a new set of nerves.
"She's almost done and we now need to review her case every six months for tidying up cosmetic corrections.
"She is doing well," said Dr Tan, who performed the six-hour operation with consultant plastic surgeons Dr Yap Lok Huei and Dr Margaret Leow.
Nabilah, a Year Six pupil of SK Sg Kanang, Kuantan, is now practising how to smile again every day.
"I am so happy that I can now smile. I thank Dr Tan for his support and encouragement," she said.
Amran conveyed his family's gratitude to NSTP and NST readers for their financial help. "We would also like to thank Dr Tan for all that he has done for our daughter.
"Before meeting him, we were told of options such as seeking treatment for Nabilah, either in China or India. But the estimated cost was between RM300,000 and RM600,000.
"As a token of our gratitude and appreciation, we are donating RM10,000 in Nabilah's name to the NSTP to help fund similar cases."
The contribution is part of the insurance compensation paid out to Nabilah.
Those who wish to help other needy patients can send cheques made payable to The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, to The Cashier, Finance Department/Charity Unit, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, Balai Berita, No. 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
* Artikel ini dipetik dari News Straits Times bertarikh 01/03/2010
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