Space Mission And A Double Heart Transplant

This week has been quite eventful for all Malaysians. We are set to welcome the first Malaysian to step into space or the International Space Station to be more exact. And while the mission gets underway, there is a lone shooting star in our Malaysian sky that has caught the attention of all of us. I'm referring, of course, to 14 year old Tee Hui Yi, who remarkably survived not one but two heart transplant, in two days.

Imagine how her parents would feel when told that her body had rejected the first transplant - then in a most dramatic and unimaginable turn of event, the dedicated and efficient heart transplant unit in IJN announced that they are ready to perform a second tranplant after the first one ended in hyperacute rejection.

What we are getting here is more than a case of successful transplant.

Hui Yi is like a bright streak of light in the sky - she represents that hope that is able to overcome all odds.

After a long wait for a heart donor and in her anguish, she made a heart rending appeal to the nation thru the mainstream newspapers. Overnight she had gained the deep symphathy of the public. There is nothing to be ashamed of by the use of the word sympathy - it is one of the most enduring of universal value of ethics at this age of pluralism and modernity.

Throughout history, up to this modern age, each cultural and religious group still think that they are superior in terms of moral values. It is time, especially in our pluralistic society, that we get at some universal ethical values, that common human feelings and sentiments that we all share. Sentiments like kindness, patience, sympathy and benevolence - can bond us together as one despite our cultural and religious differences. It is said that it is either we learn to live together as one or we shall die together.

Sometimes, in our march for justice and unity, when all else fails including reasoning, we have to appeal to our most innate and respected universal sentiment, that is altruism. Here, I'm not talking about selective altruism which is helping those of the same social standing, your own circle of friends relatives or similar race. I'm referring to an altruism that is truly colour blind and reciprocal in nature. This is in actual fact, a live demonstration of our social contract in action. This is that something that is so sorely missing for such a long time that we should be looking out for in the future. This is the passion that will propel our nation to be looked at by the international community as a truly harmonious society. For me, such an example is already a national success.

Thank you, Hui Yi for showing patience and courage and for being that loving example where each Malaysian can pour out his or her heart and soul. Thank you, also, to the IJN team for showing again that true mark of service from the heart.

Note (Oct 12th): This article also appeared in Malaysiakini under the heading Hui Yi a bright streak of light. In the meantime, the IJN transplant team had done their first of a series of heart muscle biopsies on her, and the finding is that there is almost no organ rejection. Bravo to Hui Yi. Let's hope that she will have a speedy and uneventful recovery.