BUKIT MERTAJAM: The parents of a premature baby girl born during a holiday in Japan are appealing for public donations amounting to RM1.5 million to cover her medical expenses and eventual return to Malaysia.
The baby, Alexis Liang Xi Yue, was born weighing just 480gm at 22 weeks of gestation last month and is currently being treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a hospital in Tokyo.
One Hope Charity & Welfare chairman Datuk Chua Sui Hau said the organisation stepped in to help after the family from Bukit Mertajam approached his office for assistance following the unexpected incident.
Chua said Alexis’ father, Liang Chee Liang, 32, said he and his wife, Chan Luen Chiag, 29, had planned a honeymoon trip to Japan earlier this year, with all accommodation and flights booked in advance.
Prior to departure, Chan, who was pregnant at the time, underwent medical check-ups and was medically cleared to fly to Tokyo on Nov 9.
“However, shortly after arriving in Japan, she experienced severe pain and unusual bleeding.
“She was taken to several clinics but was unable to continue treatment due to various constraints,” Chua said in a statement today.
With no other option, the couple returned to their hotel and booked an emergency flight back to Malaysia scheduled for 11pm the same day.
At about 4pm, while waiting for the flight, Chan’s bleeding worsened and her husband sought help from hotel staff to call an ambulance.
“When the father returned to the hotel room, the baby had already been delivered.
“In a state of panic and without medical guidance, he had to cut the umbilical cord himself before rushing the baby to hospital,” Chua said.
Doctors later found that Alexis was suffering from several critical complications, including chronic lung disease known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, immature retinal development, and bleeding in the right ventricle of the brain. She remains in the NICU.
Chua said doctors have informed the family that Alexis would need to stay in intensive care until her original expected due date at the end of March 2026, after which discharge would only be considered if her condition stabilises.
“Based on initial estimates, the total cost of her treatment, including NICU care, examinations and long-term treatment, is expected to reach RM1.5 million,” he said.
Due to the high cost of accommodation in Japan, the parents are forced to return to Malaysia temporarily before making another trip back.
The mother returned to Japan yesterday to monitor Alexis’ condition and provide breast milk, but is expected to return to Malaysia again without her baby in order to continue working.
Chua said One Hope Charity & Welfare is now helping to raise RM1.5 million in public donations to ensure Alexis can receive proper treatment and be brought home safely.
“The father works as an engineer, while the mother is a nail technician.
“They are also considering selling their only family car to cover airfare and accommodation costs,” he added.
Inquiries, call One Hope Charity hotline at 04-539 9212 or 016-4192 192.
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