Mum Blames Teacher For Daughter’s Death After She Was Told To Run Despite Heart Condition

The 11-year-old student had a medical letter and was exempt from participating in school sports.

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Nur Qaira Alisha Ahmad Ilwan, 11, had lived with a heart condition since she was 3 months old and had been exempt from taking part in sports activities at school

But her parents have accused a teacher of instructing the Year Four pupil to take part in a running event during sports house selection on 15 April, despite the school having already received a medical letter regarding her condition.

Nur Qaira was later admitted to Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Kedah, where she eventually died.

According to Malaysiakini, Nur Qaira's mother, Norlela Shaari, said her daughter was admitted to hospital on 24 April after suffering severe vomiting and swelling around her eyes.

Norlela said Nur Qaira appeared extremely exhausted and complained of nausea after returning home from school following the running event.

Medical examinations later found that she was suffering from heart failure due to decompensation associated with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Norlela said a paediatric cardiologist subsequently found fluid around her daughter's heart, which caused swelling in her face and eyes.

She said Nur Qaira was no longer allowed to move around much and had to use a wheelchair, while doctors also limited her water intake to one litre a day to prevent the swelling from recurring.

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Image via Malaysiakini

In a Facebook post on 16 August, Norlela described Nur Qaira as an active child who was diligent about going to school despite her heart condition

In the post, she directly blamed a teacher from the Special Education Integrated Programme (PPKI), accusing the teacher of making a mistake despite having been given a letter confirming Nur Qaira's medical condition.

She alleged that the teacher's decision to instruct her daughter to run during the sports house selection left Nur Qaira bedridden and disabled, requiring oxygen for the rest of her life.

Questioning the teacher's humanity, Norlela also said her daughter held a grudge against the teacher and warned that there would be accountability in the hereafter.

Her Facebook post was accompanied by photos showing Nur Qaira lying in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask covering her face, reported Malaysiakini.

The Education Ministry has now ordered further action over the family's complaint

Following Nur Qaira's death, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said she had been informed that the Kedah State Education Department had carried out an investigation into the complaint made by the girl's family.

She also said she had instructed the Education Ministry's Integrity Unit to take further action.

"I have also ordered the integrity unit to take further action in line with the regulations and laws that are in force, based on the principle of justice for all," she said in a Facebook post.

Fadhlina said the matter would be handled in accordance with existing laws and regulations, adding that the ministry viewed all issues involving the safety and welfare of students seriously.

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