Kapit District Officer Elvis Didit, who is Kadica advisor, hands over the wheelchair to Martin together with committee members. Also seen are Singar and the children.
KAPIT: Disabled man Martin Jarraw from Rumah Welfred Guyang, Nanga Jeli, Merit has sought refuge at the Rumah Temui rest house here since the beginning of the year because he requires weekly specialist treatment at Kapit Hospital.
Previously a logging camp worker and oddjobber, the 36-year-old first fell sick in 2005, apparently due to a mosquito-borne disease.
“I fell sick and was admitted to Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching. Doctors never told me exactly the sickness; they said I suffered from a ‘mosquito illness’ resulting in spine problems, which left both legs paralysed.
“Beginning this year, I suffered severe prostate pain and on July 5 was admitted to Sibu Hospital, where the doctor operated to remove the prostate stone,
which is as big as a small chicken’s egg,” he said when met yesterday.
Martin explained that his wife Singar Bagang, as well as step-children Alylysa Ika Singar, 13, and seven-year-old Sam Jake Lajai – were forced to join him here last month due to his condition.
“I can’t go back to Rumah Welfred Guyang, Merit, Batang Rajang, about two hours’ speedboat journey up river to Belaga, because I have a specialist appointment once a week at Kapit Hospital,” he said.
He added that Singar is also unable to work because she suffers from thyrotoxicosis.
Martin currently receives welfare aid of RM250 per month – the family’s only source of income.
Alylysa, who is in Form 1 at SMK Selirik, has missed school for the week as the family cannot afford the RM6 daily school van fee, while Sam has also not been attending SK Nanga Merit since last month.
Singar added that she applied for children’s aid from the Welfare Department and was told the RM300 a month had been approved but has yet to receive it.
On Wednesday, Martin received a wheelchair from the Kapit Division Dayak Iban Community Leaders’ Association (Kadica).
“Martin has been here at Rumah Temui for a long time. This Rumah Temui is only for those from the ulu to stay temporarily, while seeking healthcare in Kapit,” said secretary Penghulu Daniel Dian.
“Kadica can’t do much. We hope maybe the government could study his case to provide assistance.”
Martin can be contacted on 013-8049821.