Mum blames teacher for 11-year-old daughter's death after being told to run despite heart condition

Nur Qaira Alisha Ahmad Ilwan, 11, had lived with heart-related problems since she was just three months old. Because of her condition, she was exempted from sporting activities in school.

However, her parents claimed that a teacher told the Standard Four pupil to take part in a sprint race on April 15, despite the school having been provided a medical letter documenting her condition.

Nur Qaira died at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Kedah on Tuesday.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, her mother, Norlela Shaari, said her daughter was admitted to the hospital on April 24 after she began vomiting profusely and developed swelling around her eye.

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

A medical examination later revealed that Nur Qaira was suffering from decompensated heart failure with dilated cardiomyopathy.

“After the medical examination, the paediatric cardiologist confirmed that there was fluid around her heart, which caused her eyes and face to swell.

“She was not allowed to move around much and had to use a wheelchair.

“The doctor also limited her water intake to just one litre a day to prevent the swelling from recurring,” Norlela said.

Reckoning in the hereafter

In a Facebook post on Aug 16, just nine days before Nur Qaira breathed her last, Norlela described her daughter as an active child who loved going to school.

“However, a teacher’s negligence in instructing my daughter to run for a sports house selection process, despite having been provided with her medical letter, caused Nur Qaira to become bedridden and disabled, requiring oxygen for the rest of her life.

“Where was the teacher’s humanity? My daughter holds a grudge against the teacher. This is only a matter in this world... wait for the reckoning in the hereafter,” she added.

The post was accompanied by several heartbreaking photos of Nur Qaira lying frail on a hospital bed, an oxygen mask covering her face.

Govt investigating

Meanwhile, the Kedah state education department has launched an investigation into the incident.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said she had also instructed the ministry’s Integrity Unit to take appropriate action.

“I was informed that the Kedah Education Department has conducted an investigation following a complaint from (Nur Qaira’s) family.

“I have also instructed the Integrity Unit to take the next steps according to the law and the principle of justice for everyone.

“The ministry takes seriously every issue that concerns the safety and welfare of its students,” she said in a Facebook post.

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