KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) — Heart transplant patient Tee Hui Yi, 14, seems to be more at ease and able to communicate comfortably since she was taken off the ventilator this morning.

National Heart Institute (IJN) Heart and Lung Transplant Unit Clinical Director Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib said the ventilator was removed since Hui Yi was now in stable condition and she was able to breathe well without the machine.

“Probably, in three or four weeks, Hui Yi, who is still in the Intensive Care Unit, can be transferred to the normal ward,” he told reporters at IJN today.

However, he said, proper care would be taken to prevent Hui Yi from any infection which might affect her health.

Dr Ezani said Hui Yi, who is now able to consume soup and porridge, would still be fed with supplementary nutrition through the tube in her nose.

“She requires 1,400 calories and supplementary nutrition for energy to strengthen her muscles and will continue with the weekly biopsy procedures to ensure her body does not reject the new heart,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hui Yi, who looks jovial, responded to questions from reporters and said she was eager to go home and return to school to continue with her studies.

“I can’t wait to go home and make preparation for the coming Chinese New Year celebration. I also want to thank my heart donor and can’t wait to meet the (donor’s) family,” she added.

Hui Yi, who underwent a second heart transplant on Oct 5, after her body rejected the first heart transplanted in her on Oct 3, also hoped to meet her favourite singers Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Lotter of AF4.

– BERNAMA