THERE is hope for a Malaysian premature baby who was born in Singapore, as an urgent fundraising exercise to secure RM1.2 million launched from Malaysia for her medical expenses was completed in 29 hours.

“Both her parents and the public from all over the world have given the infant who was born at just 24 weeks the faith to fight for her life,” said a Penang-based One Hope Charity & Welfare in announcing the completion of the exercise today.

The fundraising began on February 28 on its portal, and stopped at about 5.45pm today right after it achieved its goal.

Currently, the micro preemie named Eloise Ang Xuan Rui has shown significant willpower to live, it said in its Facebook.

“Her growth development has been positive, her body weight has gradually increased, and the baby can be safely incubated until her growth development is complete.

“If her condition is stable, the hospital can arrange for transfer to a hospital in Malaysia for observation,” said the registered charity group.

It also shared a few of Eloise photos, which saw her body covered in tubes.

The baby girl was born weighing only 670g and has a body size of a palm.

One Hope Charity said the medical fee was estimated around S$400,000 or equivalent to about RM1.25 million where the parents, who both work in the republic, can only bear around RM50,000.

The mother Koh Pei Ying, 29, gave birth to Eloise on February 22 at 3am, after developing abdominal pains since February 19.

According to One Hope Charity, Eloise, who is now in neonatal intensive care unit for incubation for around 160 days, came to this world in less than 28 weeks, which makes her a “micro preemie”.

“Her skin was nearly transparent so that her bloodstream can be seen with the naked eye. Not only she must be taken great care, she has to be constantly monitored even for the most minute changes.

“Because she was born at only 24 weeks of gestational age, many of her organs have not fully developed yet, including her lungs and her brain,” it said, without disclosing the name of the hospital in Singapore.

One Hope Charity, which launch the fundraising campaign yesterday, said the exercise has created a huge impact worldwide.

“Not only the donations were received from benevolent donors in Malaysia, but contributions could also be traced all the way from Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, United States and many other countries, giving the blessings to the strong-willed micro preemie,” said the group. – Bernama, March 2, 2021.