KUALA TERENGGANU, A former media worker suffering from multiple chronic illnesses expressed gratitude and emotion upon receiving a donation from Tabung Kasih@HAWANA today.
Abdul Aziz Mokhtar, 49, who previously served as a Graphic Designer Executive with Berita Harian from 1997 to 2014, said the donation would help alleviate his family’s burden, especially since he has been admitted to Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ) for the past three days due to breathing difficulties.
‘Alhamdulillah. Praise be to Allah for allowing Tabung Kasih@HAWANA to be set up to ease the struggles of former media workers facing health challenges in continuing their lives.
‘The efforts of Tabung Kasih@HAWANA through Bernama (Malaysian National News Agency) are highly commendable for not forgetting the welfare of print media workers like myself, especially during these challenging times,’ he said when met at HSNZ.
The Tabung Kasih@HAWANA donation was presented to Abdul Aziz by acting Terengganu Bernama Bureau chief Balqis Jamal
udin. Also present was The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad (NSTP) Terengganu correspondent, Zatul Iffah Zolkiply.
A father of five children, aged 18 to six, Abdul Aziz Mokhtar has long suffered from diabetes, which has led to the amputation of all the toes on his left foot and one toe on his right foot.
He said that his health has further deteriorated due to a blocked heart condition he developed two years ago, in addition to high blood pressure.
Despite having to rely on a wheelchair for daily activities, Abdul Aziz remains determined and works as a freelance graphic designer to support his family.
‘Since leaving Berita Harian through the MSS (Mandatory Separation Scheme), I have been self-employed as a graphic designer for various items such as T-shirts, caps and more. Although the income is modest, it helps cover some of my medical expenses and eases the burden on my wife, who now has to take on the role of our family’s primary breadwinner,’ he said.
However, he added that his current health condit
ion has forced him to stop working and the family now depends on the modest income of his wife, Nur Zulaikha Ahmad, 47, who works as an administrative assistant at a housing company.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency