My Frens' daughter

FRAGILE BABY: Three-week-old Moniessha Devi suffers from congenital heart disease. She is currently seeking medical treatment at Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre. Moniessha’s surgery will cost RM35,000.

This is my friend daughter, if you know anyone who can help or if you can help do so.


Over the years, teacher A. Santharan regularly donated money for sick children needing surgery. Now he needs help for his own daughter.


Three-week-old Moniessha Devi suffers from congenital heart disease, and Santharan is appealing for donations.

"I never dreamt I would be in this situation," he said. "I can truly understand now how awful it is for parents who go through this."

Doctors at Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre have diagnosed Moniessha with TAPVD — "total abnomalous pulmonary venous return intradiaphragmatic".

The condition means that oxygenated blood from Moniessha’s lungs is being channelled to the right chamber of the heart and not the left, as it should be. The surgery will cost RM35,000.

"She has difficulty breathing," he said, adding that Moniessha has to use a lot of oxygen, putting a lot of pressure on her lungs.

"That is why we need the surgery as soon as possible," said Santharan, who earns RM2,000 a month. His wife, Mila Rosa Jaballa, is a housewife. They have two other children, aged five and three.

Those wishing to donate can send cheques made payable to the New Straits Times with Moniessha’s name written on the reverse and addressed to: The Cashier, Finance Department/Charity Unit, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.