Two Kids In Sarawak Died Because Their Parents Didn't Have RM40 To Send Them For Treatment

A report by Borneo Post yesterday, 5 July, revealed that Monica Mazlan, 6, and her brother Jackson Mazlan, 4, could have been sent to the hospital immediately after they were bitten by rabid dogs if their family had the money for it.

The children's aunt, 50-year-old Doria Agang, said that all they needed was RM40 and the immediate treatment could have saved their lives.

"My cousin-in-law is an odd job worker and my cousin is a housewife. Having six children aged between two and 12 years old, their parents sometimes face financial constraints. That’s the reality of life they are facing every day," she explained to Borneo Post when they met her on 3 July.

The children lived with their family at Kampung Paun Rimau Bakung, about 30 kilometres away from Serian, Sarawak.

"After the incident, they seemed to be okay until after Gawai Dayak (1 June) when they started to act strangely," explained Doria.

The children received their first treatment at Balai Ringin Health Clinic. Only when Monica and Jackson's condition got more serious, they were sent for further treatment to Serian Hospital on 24 June.

"Out of the blue, the late Monica, who was normally quite shy and demure suddenly became very alert and talkative. She also suddenly could talk in Bahasa Malaysia fluently. So we were all amazed as to what had happened to the poor child. Shortly after that, she was referred to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) as her condition worsened," said Doria.

She said that Jackson fell sick way before his sister started showing signs of illness.

"... he was already unwell after Gawai Dayak and he always appeared short of breath," added Doria.

It was reported that the children's parents had agreed for life support to be withdrawn.

Borneo Post visited the grieving family's home in Kampung Paon Sungai Rimu on the same day and the situation was sombre. Families and friends of the family were gathered at the house, where a memorial for the two young children were held.

Borneo Post highlighted that the family's toilet is a small stream at the back of their house, which is also the same space they use for bathing and other general cleaning.

The children's father, Mazlan Puzan is a general worker and their mother is a housewife.

"It is very sad to see poverty is still happening in our midst. So, we hope the relevant authorities especially our YBs to do something, like building them a decent home and a proper toilet," Doria pleaded, when met by Borneo Post on 5 July.

"An amount of RM300 will be given to the family immediately which is from Tabung Bantuan Segera.

"Plus, most probably they will also receive RM350 monthly under the aid scheme Bantuan Kanak-Kanak," she said, as reported by Borneo Post today.

Monica was the fourth child, while Jackson was the fifth. The children have four other siblings - a boy and three girls.

It was said that the families that are under 'Bantuan Kanak Kanak' (BKK) would receive RM150 (one child), RM250 (two children), RM350 (three children), RM450 (four children), and RM500 (five children).

Malay Mail Online reported that the five villages are Kampung Kerait, Kampung Paon Rimu, Kampung Paun Rimu Bakung, Kampung Remun and Kampung Lebor.

"The state disaster management committee discussed the rabies outbreak in this meeting and has declared these villages as rabies-infected area(s) under Section 37 of the state Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999," said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Monica and Jackson were two of the three children that were infected with the rabies virus. The third child, a seven-year-old from Kampung Lebur Gedong is still in critical condition.