KOTA BARU: A patient's wish to receive his diploma scroll was finally fulfilled when he was personally escorted by the specialist doctor treating him at his convocation ceremony at the Sultan Ismail Petra International Islamic University College (KIAS) today.
Muhammad Arsyad Muhammad Ghazali, 23, who has been hospitalised for three weeks at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Ward at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian, never expected that his doctor would accompany him to the hall to realise his dream.
He said his mother, Yuhana Abd Ghani, 63, had informed a nurse that he was supposed to receive his scroll today but had to let go of the intention as he needed to take antibiotics after his heart became infected.
"I still need to receive treatment and stay in the ward for monitoring by doctors. Additionally, my leg has not yet fully recovered after surgery due to an infection on Sept 17.
"However, this morning, my doctor, Dr Raja Abdul Wafy Raja Muhammad Rooshdi, told me to get ready as they had contacted Kias to inform them that I would be attending to receive my scroll.
"I was quite surprised but still excited to attend this historic ceremony, even though I arrived later than scheduled," he said when met after receiving his Diploma in Usuluddin.
A total of 245 graduates received diplomas in various study programmes, covering Islamic studies and management, presented by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.
Muhammad Arsyad, the seventh of eight siblings, was accompanied by Dr Raja Abdul Wafy and three HUSM nurses, as well as his parents, Muhammad Ghazali Ismail, 67, and Yuhana.
Yuhana expressed gratitude to the hospital for its effort in realising her son's wish to attend the convocation despite his weakened and ailing state.
"I also pay tribute to the doctor who treated my son, for accompanying Muhammad Arsyad on stage to receive the scroll. Without his efforts, my son's wish might not have been fulfilled.
"Muhammad Arsyad was supposed to register at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Islamic Studies (Usuluddin) on Sept 29, but he had to request a postponement due to his health condition.
"May my son recover soon and resume his studies as usual so he can achieve his goals and dreams one day," she said.