Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Doctors doing all they can to save Johor boy’s right arm

KUALA LUMPUR — After losing both legs, 11-year-old Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi may lose his right forearm next as it had not responded to medical treatment, the schoolboy’s aunt disclosed on Tuesday (April 25).

The Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru, where the 11-year-old has been hospitalised. Photo: Google Maps

The Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru, where the 11-year-old has been hospitalised. Photo: Google Maps

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

KUALA LUMPUR — After losing both legs, 11-year-old Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi may lose his right forearm next as it had not responded to medical treatment, the schoolboy’s aunt disclosed on Tuesday (April 25).

The aunt, Dzuraidah Ahmad, 38, said the right arm and fingers, which had showed signs of recovery last Sunday, had turned black again, The Star reported on its website.

“We pray for his recovery and are ready if the doctor decides that an amputation is needed to save his life,” she was quoted saying at the Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru.

The aunt said her nephew’s left shoulder has been responding well to blood-thinning medication to remove the blood clots there.

However, a source told New Straits Times that doctors are giving more time to monitor the boy’s condition.

“The specialist is doing all he can to save the arm. But the boy is being closely monitored.

“The decision to cut the arm below the elbow was to stop the spread of the bacterial infection. For now, it is not being done. They (doctors) are giving him more time,” said the source.

Mohamad Thaqif has reportedly been comatose for the past three days after his legs were amputated following bacterial infections due to a beating with a water hose, allegedly by an assistant warden at the private Islamic school dormitory in Kota Tinggi, Johor where he had been boarding.

Meanwhile, Malay daily Harian Metro reported the Permaisuri Raja of Johor, Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah has ordered a health check on all students at the same religious school who have been similarly punished with a beating on the soles of their feet.

The order was relayed to the state executive councillor for Health, Environment, Education and Information Ayub Rahmat on Tuesday after Zarith visited the schoolboy in the hospital.

“Her Royal Highness decreed to me to identify other students in the same group who received the same punishment to undergo a health screening, because we need to act early on this matter as we do not want another case,” Mr Ayub was quoted saying.

He also said the Johor permaisuri had decreed for all state mosques and suraus to hold a special prayer session this Friday for Mohamad Thaqif, in moral support for the primary schooler.

He added that the state Health Department has also been ordered to monitor the religious boarding school for other related matters, including its cleanliness.

Thaqif was among 15 pupils from Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Jauhar, Kota Tinggi, who were allegedly beaten with a rubber hose by an assistant warden on March 24.

The boys were punished as they had made noise in the surau.

Thaqif’s legs turned black and blue 24 days after the beatings and he was hospitalised. Both his legs were amputated last Friday to prevent the spread of infection.

Police have since obtained a four-day remand order on the 29-year-old warden. It later emerged that the man had a criminal record for theft and had served 30 months behind bars. AGENCIES

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.