By Dang Samson Garcia
SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go lauded the Malasakit Center for being a pillar of support as it paved the way for the life-saving heart surgery of 29-year-old Mohammad Abdelrashid Juhuri, a devoted teacher from Maimbung, Sulu.
Mohammad’s life took an unexpected turn in 2017 when a diagnosis of congenital heart disease threatened his dream of becoming a mechanical engineer.
“Congenital heart disease, pero nalaman ko po ito way back 2017… nagpunta po ako dito after ko po mag-take ng board exam para sa mechanical engineering tapos ‘yun nga, sabi ng doctor, parang may iba, iba ‘yung sound ng the way po mag-breathe,” Mohammad recounted.
Mohammad’s monthly household income was starkly inadequate for the surgical intervention required to mend his ailing heart.
His early endeavors to secure financial assistance led him to ask favors from local officials, which eventually led him to the Malasakit Center at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City.
The financial aid provided by the Malasakit Center paved the way for Mohammad’s much-needed surgical intervention.
His reflections underscored the significance of the aid.
“Siguro kung walang Malasakit… malaking tulong ito, kumbaga, binigyan nila ng kaginhawaan… wala kang babayaran sa medicine, sa lahat, sa hospital bills, sa professional fee ng mga doctor.”
With the success of the operation, Mohammad and his family became forever grateful to the assistance he received from the government.
“Senator… Isa ka sa instrumento na ibinigay ni God upang madugtungan ang buhay ko,” he said.
“Thank you very much, Senator Bong. Kung hindi sa inyo, hindi ko na alam kung anong mangyari sa anak ko, so thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts,” Mohammad’s mother said.
“Ang Malasakit Centers ay para sa inyo, para sa bawat Pilipinong nangangailangan ng tulong at suporta mula sa gobyerno. Magtulungan tayo sa agarang pagbangon mula sa mga trahedyang ating hinaharap. Maraming salamat po at asahan niyo ang aking patuloy na serbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go said.
