KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) — Eight-year-old S. Harsheetaa Sai, who had undergone heart surgery in the United States, passed away yesterday due to multiple organ failure and sepsis.
The news was confirmed by her father, R. Selva Ganapathy, a teacher at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Saraswathy in Sungai Buloh.
Harsheetaa, who studied at the same school where her parents teach, had been battling heterotaxy since birth. She had been receiving treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital, a leading medical centre in Massachusetts, since April.
“Our hearts are heavy beyond words. Our brave little angel, Harsheetaa, who fought with all her strength, has now found peace in a place beyond pain and struggle.
“She took her final breath at 1.10 am yesterday at Boston Children’s Hospital. After putting up a courageous fight for days, her little body could no longer bear the pain,” said her father in a statement.
Selva Ganapathy said Harsheetaa was surrounded by love, prayers, and the deepest care, adding that details of the final rites will be announced later.
Meanwhile, Political Secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, shared his condolences with the family on Instagram.
He also mentioned that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had extended financial assistance to Harsheetaa’s family, which he personally delivered during a visit to their home in Batu Caves, Selangor, on March 20.
Heterotaxy is a rare congenital disorder in which internal organs develop in abnormal positions due to improper left-right patterning during fetal development. It commonly affects the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and intestines, often leading to severe complications.
Previously, Selva Ganapathy expressed his gratitude to Malaysians for raising RM1.5 million to fund his daughter’s heart surgery.
— BERNAMA