Ipoh: A one-year-old baby, who has been bravely battling a germ cell tumour at the back of his eye since last October, will receive monthly assistance of RM500 from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) starting January. State Women, Family, Social Welfare, Cooperatives and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed announced that Firas Affan Mohd Fauzi would receive assistance under the category for chronically ill patients.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Salbiah Mohamed mentioned that the Perak Sejahtera Card was also approved last October with the hope that the assistance from the state government will help alleviate the burden on Firas Affan's family. She shared these details after visiting the baby at his home in Bandar Lahat Baru.

Firas Affan's father, Mohd Fauzi Saad, 43, expressed his gratitude to the state government for the support provided to his baby. He conveyed his appreciation for the concern shown by the state government and members of the public who reached out to help following media reports on his son's condition. Mohd Fauzi also shared that he frequently needs to take leave from work to accompany Firas Affan to the hospital two or three times a week.

The baby's mother, Anis Azwanie Azmi, 29, reported last Friday that their youngest child, the fourth of four siblings, often appeared lethargic and had facial swelling before being referred to Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital for further examination. Anis Azwanie added that her son has undergone chemotherapy twice so far and will require several more rounds of treatment.