KOTA BARU: An eleven year-old boy died of suspected heat stroke and dehydration at the Balai health clinic near Bachok here at 9.27am yesterday.
The boy's mother, Wanie Alias, 32, said her son, Muhamad Syamil Aqil was healthy and active during the first two days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri before he became ill.
Wanie said Syamil, the eldest of three siblings, had been cycling around during raya but caught a fever after that. The boy also began vomitting on Monday.
"I was monitoring his condition closely every hour and I found that his body temperature shot up and hovered between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius.
"On the fourth day of Hari Raya (April 25) after Subuh prayers, I noticed that Syamil was already very weak and while we were getting ready to go to the health clinic, he suddenly had an epileptic seizure.
"I immediately brought my son to the Balai Health Clinic. When we arrived at the clinic, the doctor on duty immediately gave him oxygen and branula to insert fluids. However, his pulse suddenly stopped and became unconscious."
Wanie said the doctor tried very hard to save his life and performed Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
She and her husband had to accept that their son was no longer.
Syamil's remains were sent to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital's (HRPZ II) Forensics Unit for post-mortem, which revealed that he died of heatstroke and dehydration.
"All his internal organs, including his heart and kidneys were frizzled. The blood and fluids in his body had dried up.
"I want other parents to take heed of what has happened from this tragic incident and not to let their children to play under the searing hot sun as the temperature of late has been quite high.
"Please ensure that children drink enough water and remain hydrated," she said.
Kelantan health director-general, Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin also confirmed the cause of the child's death.
"The early result from the post-mortem that was carried out at HRPZ II's forensics department found that child suffered heat stroke and suffered dehydration," he said.