(Above image: Kirshalen (centre) is now an active boy who argues with his brother, Pavin (left), and disturbs his sister, Dharshinie; (Inset) Baby Kirshalen with his mother, T. Kauseliya, after surgery.)

By Teresa Yong

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Every time L. Ramamurthy reads about parents appealing for donations for babies stricken with heart problems, he gets a lump in the throat.

The memory of his own experience comes flooding back and he understands the sense of despair in parents wondering how to raise money to save their children.

His youngest child, Kirshalen, was born five years ago with two holes in his heart.

Although now fully recovered, the memory of watching Kirshalen struggling to breathe and subsequently being placed on the ventilator still agonises him.

"My wife, T. Kauseliya, and I went through a very rough time and were really depressed by our son's condition," said Ramamurthy, 42, a construction supervisor in Alor Star.

Shortly after Kirshalen's birth, doctors at Sungai Petani Hospital detected an unusual heartbeat.

"He was warded for a few days for further observation and transferred to Alor Star Hospital for a check-up.

"Doctors there diagnosed that he had heart problems and he was referred to Island Hospital in Penang, where an echo test found two holes in his heart. They said it was curable as the holes may close naturally after some time," he said.

However, after a month, Kirshalen's condition worsened and he began turning blue. Two weeks later, the doctors recommended urgent surgery.

He was referred to Gleneagles Medical Centre (GMC) where the operation was estimated to cost RM27,000 ($11,000).

"We tried our best but over four weeks, we could only come up with RM3,000.

"We were worried that we would not be able to raise the amount in time for the operation," Ramamurthy said.

It was at this time that the management of GMC told the couple about the NSTP general fund.

"Kirshalen's condition was bad. He had to be hooked up to life support after suffering from heart failure and a chest infection at Alor Star Hospital," he said.

Watching Kirshalen on the ventilator was painful for him and his wife as a feeding tube was inserted into the mouth and the baby could not even groan. Kirshalen was taken to GMC on Feb 24, 2005 and operated on the next day.

"He was taken off the ventilator a day after the operation and transferred from the intensive care unit to the general ward two days later," Kauseliya, 37, recalled.

His recovery was remarkably fast with feeding beginning soon after and doctors removing the oxygen mask a few days later.

She is constantly amazed by the transformation of Kirshalen from a quiet baby to an over-active kid.

Doctors said he had fully recovered and only needed to go for a check-up every year.

"He likes to argue with his 9-year-old brother Pavin and disturb his 11-year-old sister Dharshinie. But they are all very close," Kauseliya said.

"The doctors say he is just over-active and does not need to attend special classes. He is very quick at picking up things and we just need to guide him properly.

"In kindergarten, his teachers complain that he cannot sit still but he is learning well," Ramamurthy said.

Early last year, he hurt his nose after falling from the sofa but recovered quickly.

"Again recently, while running around in the playground, he fell and broke his left arm.

"Fortunately, he only needed a minor operation and has since recovered," she said.

Ramamurthy hoped to extend help to parents of children with heart problems when his financial situation improves.

"I still keep track of cases where parents appeal for financial help. I have approached my sub-contractors for money to help some of them," he said.

Those who wish to help children with such medical conditions 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.