Doctor Praises Man Who Sacrificed Health To Prioritise Family Dinner Money

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A heart-wrenching incident at a clinic in Penang has gone viral after a doctor shared the story of a man who prioritised his family’s dinner money over urgently needed medical treatment. - PIC CREDIT: SOCIAL MEDIAKUALA LUMPUR: A heart-wrenching incident at a clinic in Penang has gone viral after a doctor shared the story of a man who prioritised his family's dinner money over urgently needed medical treatment.
The incident was shared by Dr Khaw, a doctor at Klinik Singapore, on his Threads account @drkhaw_familymedicine.
He said the man arrived wearing worn-out clothes, stained with engine oil and dust and seemed unsure whether he should enter.
-Advertisement-"Doctor, where should I sit… my clothes are dirty. I'm afraid I'll dirty your chair," said the man.
Dr Khaw said the smell of sweat was strong, clearly showing that the man had just finished hard work under the scorching sun.
He immediately pulled a chair closer to the man.
"Just sit. It's only a wooden chair, it can be wiped clean. Your injured foot is more important than this chair."
It turned out the sole of the man's foot was swollen with pus because he had stepped on a rusty nail at his worksite two days earlier.
"The man kept quiet about it, wrapped it with an old cloth and continued working because he's paid daily. If he doesn't work, there's no money for the family's meals.
"When I removed the bandage, the smell of pus mixed with blood was sharp and overpowering, yet his face stayed calm as he endured the pain," said Dr Khaw.
He added that while dressing the wound, the man asked a question that broke his heart.
"Doctor, is this dressing expensive? If it is, just give me oral medicine. I only have RM50 in my pocket for tonight's groceries," the man said.
The man, said Dr Khaw, was more worried about his family's dinner money than his own foot, which was at risk of tetanus infection or even amputation if left untreated.
He said he completed the treatment, gave the man a tetanus shot and provided a full course of antibiotics.
"Don't worry about the payment, we'll 'adjust' it for you. What's important is that you rest tomorrow. Don't strain this foot."
As the man thanked him, Dr Khaw noticed his eyes were red, holding back tears.
"To me, the smell of his sweat wasn't unpleasant at all. It was the scent of sacrifice, of a responsible family man honestly earning a living. Respect," wrote Dr Khaw.
In the comment section, many praised Dr Khaw for sharing the story.
User @darinahanani said: "Out of Dr Khaw's kindness and empathy, I pray that your affairs are always made easy."
Another user, @suemaya_saipul, expressed similar sentiments.
User @iu20252025 suggested: "Would it be okay to set up a special fund for people in need like this? Each clinic could have a special fund at the registration counter and when cases like this arise, we could use money from the fund." - NST

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