What happened to Mdm Suria?

45 year-old Mdm Suria is the main caregiver to her two children, aged 8 and 11 years old. Her elder son is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), intellectual disability and speech delay. He attends a special needs school and Mdm Suria is his main caregiver when he returns home. 

In March 2022, Mdm Suria was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT). Since her diagnosis, she relied on the prescribed medication that led to severe side effects, including heart palpitations, frequent headache, cold sweat, fatigue and hair loss. The side effects have made it challenging for Mdm Suria to care for her children alone while her husband is at work, especially when her elder son requires constant care and attention.  

After her medical review back in September 2022, Mdm Suria’s doctor has recommended that she undergoes the heart ablation procedure, estimated at S$18,000 to prevent Mdm Suria from experiencing these symptoms for a longer period of time.

How can you help?

Help fund Mdm Suria’s heart ablation procedure. The $18,000 surgery will allow the mother of two to regain the ability to resume her daily activities without the side effects of her medication. 

Find out more / Appeal from Mdm Suria: 

Mdm Suria works as a part-time administrative staff at a maid agency and earns about $950 a month. While work has been stable for her in the last 3 years, her employer indicates that they would not convert her to full-time employment unless she attains Permanent Residency. Given the challenges of obtaining a work pass with LTVP status, Mdm Suria accepts this arrangement. 

Mdm Suria’s husband works as a delivery rider and earns about $2,160 a month. As he has been  allocated one shift instead of two by his company, there has been a drop in his income. Apart from supporting his family, he has also been supporting Mdm Suria in caring for the needs of their children. This includes ferrying the children to the school and accompanying Mdm Suria for her medical appointments.

Even with their combined incomes, the family is unable to afford Mdm Suria’s surgery due to her ineligibility for medical subsidies in view of her citizenship. Over the years, the family has also incurred some arrears and has been doing their best to their debts.

*Mdm Suria is receiving social assistance.