KUANTAN: Some two years ago, Mohd Noor Fitri Rohim found himself at a crossroads - to either remain as the family's sole breadwinner or quit his job to care for both his bedridden mother, as well as his wife, who suffers from thalassemia.
After deep thought and discussion with his siblings, the 40-year-old made a decision that would challenge his comfort zone and redefine his priorities.
He left his job as a security supervisor to become a full-time caregiver at home.
It has been quite a bumpy ride for Noor Fitri, who has emptied his savings and these days relies on the financial assistance provided by his three elder siblings, and the RM200 given by the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Muip).
The father of three school-going children said he was in a dilemma between his career and family in 2022, but felt that he had to 'sacrifice' his job to be able to give full focus to his mother Jamilah Aziz, 67, and wife Nurul Huda Othman, 40.
He said his mother has been suffering from a nerve disorder, fits and Alzheimer for more than six years before her condition worsened in 2022.
"She could no longer walk and was left bedridden, requiring milk to be fed through a small tube.
"My wife has thalassemia, which requires her to go to the hospital several times a month to undergo blood transfusions. She is weak and often becomes so ill that she requires someone to assist her at home.
"Initially, my siblings and I planned to find a helper to be with my mother, but it was too costly.
"Since my siblings have a fixed monthly income and agreed to assist, I decided to quit my job to be at home," he said when met at his house in Bandar Indera Mahkota 2 here today.
Noor Fitri, who used to earn RM3,000 a month from his supervisor job, said despite the monthly assistance, there were occasions when he was left scratching his head to make ends meet.
"The special formula milk for my mother, fed five times a day, costs about RM110 per tin, and each can last up to five days.
"The monthly expenses reach almost RM4,000 to purchase the formula milk, adult diapers, and feeding tube, along with other household expenditures and the utility bills....on top of the RM700 house rental.
"Muip currently provides RM200 cash aid and RM200 worth of items every month.
"I have previously submitted an application to the Welfare Department seeking assistance and applied for a Persons with Disabilities (OKU) card for my wife but received no response," said Noor Fitri, adding he has three children aged eight, 12 and 14.
Noor Fitri said after quitting his job, his wife helped him set up a food stall, but they found it difficult to cope due to the doctor's appointment for his mother and wife, which sometimes required him to close his business.
"My wife is unable to lift my mother, so I need to return home (from the stall) to give her a bath and change her.
"After some time, I decided to close down the business as there were times I would spend the entire day in the hospital when I brought my mother and wife to meet the doctor," he said.