Since its inception in 2013, the Medical Fund has been supporting what is most treasured here at RI – our students. It provides the financial resources for specialised medical care for Rafflesians who are unexpectedly stricken by severe health issues.
In these crisis situations, we have found that the student and his or her family often come under tremendous emotional and financial strain, with the cost of treatment running into the tens of thousands. Sometimes, out of embarrassment or the fear of burdening others, the afflicted families are reluctant to seek treatment, even though timely treatment is critical to ensuring a smooth and speedy recovery.
Joehann Bin Johari, a Year 2 student, who had heatstroke in the midst of rugby training early this year, is one of the beneficiaries of the Medical Fund. We recently met up with Joehann and his mother to ask after his health and are glad to note that he is doing well.
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When Ms Zubaidah first received a phone call from her son’s teacher informing her that Joehann had collapsed due to heat stroke during rugby training, there were many questions swirling around in her mind, including the financial burden that she would face in the near future. Doctors told her that he had multiple organ failure.
Aware that Ms Zubaidah is the sole breadwinner of the family of six, the school rallied together with parents and alumni to help cover the cost of Joehann’s medical treatment, allowing him to focus on getting better. Joehann had to overcome many challenges over the next few months, including his body’s initial rejection to the medication. Together with his mother, the fourteen-year-old also underwent the emotional trauma of going from being a strong young man who enjoyed playing rugby to having to retrain his weakened muscles for basic movement.
Joehann is also a recipient of the RI-AMICI scholarship kindly provided for by alumni donors who believe in having a hand in the growth of their scholars. When they were informed of Joehann’s condition, they immediately informed the school of their wish to cover the annual Medishield coverage for all their scholars.
With the strong backing of the Rafflesian community and his own innate determination, Joehann returned to class within a few months and has since resumed normal school life.
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Your gift to the Medical Fund will enable us to provide Rafflesians with access to proper medical care whenever needed. In this way, you will help them overcome unexpected adversity and put them back on the path to success in life.