Rohani: Boy stronger now
By ROSHIDI ABU SAMAH AND BALQIS NASIR | New Straits Times – 1 hour 54 minutes ago
SEREMBAN: THE 15-year-old physically-challenged teenager, who was discovered in a pathetic state in a flat in Nilai on Saturday, surprised a visiting VIP entourage yesterday when he sat up on his hospital bed unaided.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the boy was happy, talkative and tried to communicate with the visitors. However, she said the details of his conversation were difficult to comprehend.
“It is common for any cerebral palsy patient, such as the boy, to have communication difficulties but it would be worse if those around him did not communicate with him,” she said after visiting the teenager at Tuanku Jaafar Hospital yesterday.
Rohani said the boy was stronger, had a good appetite and responded well to the intensive treatment provided by the medical team.
“He was eating the chocolates that I had brought for him non-stop. He has gained 2kg from the initial 15kg when he was first admitted to the hospital on Saturday.”
She said the teenager was still emotionally unstable and would receive counselling.
Rohani expressed her appreciation to state Immigration Department director Faizal Fazri Othman, who was present, and his enforcement officers for discovering the teenager, who was emaciated and in a room strewn with faeces and filth, during a raid to nab illegal immigrants at a low-cost flat.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak expressed his sadness and concern about the plight faced by the teenager, saying such a thing should not occur.
“The government, through the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, police and other agencies will ensure his welfare is taken care of.
“I hope Malaysians are more caring towards the needs of this group, and avoid mere finger pointing (in this matter),” he said on Facebook.
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