GUA MUSANG: An Orang Asli man from the Batek tribe who hails from Kampung Aring 5 has not given up hope that his ailing wife will get better and make a full recovery despite being bedridden and unconscious for the past two months.
"I keep praying that she will regain her good health and I have not left her side since she fell ill," said Roslan Hek, 57.
Roslan has been caring for his sick wife, Hamisah Batu, who has been bedridden in a coma due to chronic high blood pressure for the past two months.
Roslan said that Hamisah, who is in her 40s, was previously taken to Hospital Sultan Ismail Petra (HSIP) in Kuala Krai after complaining of feeling sick and having severe headaches.
He said Hamisah was warded in hospital for more than three weeks before being referred to Hospital Gua Musang where she currently is.
"I am fully responsible for my dear wife's care and well-being, as she has been bedridden for the past two months after complaining of having severe headaches.
"Apart from this, I wipe her, dispose of her urine and change her disposable diapers each and every day. All this while she has been warded in hospital, I have been looking out for her, caring for her, and I have been by her side because there is no one else I can count on, and she depends on me," said Roslan when met here yesterday.
The father of three said Hamisah is fed with a special milk formula via a tube attached to her nose, apart from having to clean her phlegm every now and then.
Roslan said each week Hamisah would need around 10 disposable diapers, whereas the milk fed to her came from the hospital.
"All my wife's needs so far such as the disposable diapers and the wet wipes have come out from my own pocket but I have not worked for two months as I have been here at the hospital caring for her and seeing to her needs.
"I need to spend around RM200 a month for my wife's needs and recently ever since she was hospitalised I have had sleepless nights worrying about money and the medical costs for her.
"For many, RM200 might be a small amount, but for us Orang Asli, we do not have a stable and steady income and we depend on what we can get from the jungle," he said.
He said that while the two of them had been away from home, their 12-year-old daughter was being cared for by their 21-year-old son. Their eldest son, who is in his 30s, has settled down and has his own family to take care of.
"Yesterday (Sunday), I felt so happy to see a positive reaction from her. She had tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Once we are allowed to return home, I will continue to care for her as best as I can," said Roslan who has been married to Hamisah for more than 30 years.