ENDURING a staggering 10 surgeries, both minor and major, in just 25 days while in an induced coma – this was the harrowing reality for the 33-year-old unsung hero, Mohamad Syafiq Mohamad Ali Hanaffiah.
His heroic journey began on Aug 28, attempting to rescue a child trapped in a house fire at RPR Batu Kawah, Kuching.
Syafiq’s unwavering courage and selflessness shine through as he recounts during an exclusive interview with New Sarawak Tribune regarding the ordeal, while facing ongoing health challenges with Hepatitis C, asthma, and personal risk.
During the interview, he revealed that when the incident happened, he was on the way to his former brother-in-law Fizie’s house to lend a hand.
“I was en route to my former brother-in-law’s house, Fizie, to clean and prepare the house for a celebration they were organising. Despite being an ex-brother-in-law, we remain close friends.
“When I arrived at the location, a fire broke out at his neighbour’s house, the homeowner was already there.
“The homeowner said that his child is still upstairs. Hearing that someone was still trapped in the house. I immediately went up without thinking,” Syafiq explained, disregarding Fizie’s advice due to his asthma.
The hero’s vivid account details the urgency and determination to save lives, even in the face of personal risk. Syafiq bravely navigated the dangerous environment, showcasing a remarkable commitment to the safety of others.
“I didn’t think much and grabbed a prayer mat placed in a basin to go up to the top of the house. I searched for him on the upper floor but couldn’t find him.
“Due to the intense heat, I went down to leave the house, but due to limited vision caused by thick smoke, I got tangled in some live wire that might have been a result of a collapsed ceiling.
“I was shocked by the electricity. Now, there are still marks on the wiring, on my neck, body, the entire body, somehow I managed to escape the wires and got out,” he said.
When asked about regrets, Syafiq, despite the pain and challenges he now faces, expressed unequivocally that he had no regrets.
The aftermath of his heroic attempt resulted in a 75 per cent burn to his body, categorised as third-degree burns. The road to recovery is predicted to span one year for healing and approximately two to three years for a full recovery.
Meanwhile Syafiq’s mother 56-year-old Julia Jemat also found herself thrust into an unexpected and arduous journey of caring for her son, while also revealing that Syafiq’s immediate response to the incident was driven by his innate instinct to help others.
“Syafiq has a history of helping others since he was a teenager. It’s a quality he inherited from me. I believe it’s a divine gift,” she said, expressing her pride in her son’s selflessness.
Currently, Syafiq is receiving complimentary treatment from wound care specialist Dr Sim Chap Hoong at Teddy Medical Bau.
“I selected him because he met all our criteria, and he genuinely requires substantial assistance. Treating this type of wound (burn injury) requires specialised training and cannot be handled casually.
“His pain level fluctuates from 5 to 10 out of 10, indicating moderate to severe pain during each dressing session. Both my team of nurses and I spend approximately 1 to 3 hours per session cleaning and dressing the wound, conducting this process three times a week.
“Personally, I doubt he can fully return to his pre-injury state. He is likely to experience deformities in his limbs, extensive scarring on his body and face, and may also grapple with mental issues such as depression and anxiety,” he stated.
Dr Sim added that he will need a lot of training and rehabilitation after the wounds heal.
