Anaqi Mikhael Mohamad Sharafi, an eight-year-old from Johor Bahru, is preparing to travel to China for a liver operation that his parents hope will allow him to lead a normal childhood. Anaqi, the eldest of three siblings, was diagnosed in infancy with biliary atresia, a condition that affects the bile ducts and can lead to progressive liver damage.
liver surgery in China: what the family hopes for
His father, Mohamad Sharafi Mokhtar, 32, said the condition was identified after Anaqi developed prolonged jaundice for more than two weeks following his birth. The family has been managing the child’s condition since, and after consulting local specialists they decided to seek surgical treatment in China.
“We want him to have the best chance of growing up like other children,” Mohamad Sharafi said, adding that they were hopeful the planned operation would restore his health and allow him to return to a normal routine. He emphasised the emotional and financial strain on the family but said they were determined to pursue the specialist care Anaqi needs.
Medical teams treating biliary atresia typically evaluate the extent of liver and bile-duct damage and recommend timely intervention. Early surgery can improve bile flow and delay the progression of liver disease; in some cases a liver transplant is required at a later stage. The family’s decision to travel to China reflects a search for specialist expertise and access to surgical options they believe offer the best outcome.
Healthcare professionals say outcomes for children with biliary atresia depend on several factors, including the age at which treatment begins and the presence of complications. Families often face difficult choices about where to obtain care, balancing clinical recommendations, availability of expertise and the costs of treatment abroad.
In Johor Bahru the community has followed Anaqi’s journey closely, with neighbours and extended family providing emotional support. Mohamad Sharafi said his primary concern is the well-being of his son and his two younger children, and he hopes the operation will allow Anaqi to return home with improved health.
As the family finalises travel and treatment plans, medical staff both locally and abroad will continue to monitor Anaqi’s condition and prepare for the procedure. For parents facing similar diagnoses, doctors advise early consultation with paediatric liver specialists to understand treatment options and long-term care needs.
Anaqi’s case highlights the challenges some families face in accessing specialised paediatric care. By seeking treatment in China, the family is pursuing a pathway they believe will give their son the best chance of a normal childhood and long-term health.
Key Takeaways:
- An 8-year-old Malaysian boy diagnosed with biliary atresia will travel to China for liver surgery.
- Parents hope the procedure will allow him to grow up and live like other children.
- Biliary atresia is a serious childhood liver condition that often requires early surgical treatment.
- Family is pursuing specialised care abroad to improve the child’s prognosis.
