A humanitarian gesture by UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has drawn public attention after he travelled to China to personally visit a three-year-old Malaysian girl whose life was saved following a successful liver transplant surgery partly funded by his personal savings.
The child, Nur Asyura Medina, fondly known as Little Medina, underwent the complex medical procedure in Shanghai after being diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare and serious liver condition affecting infants that obstructs the normal flow of bile from the liver. The illness had placed her in urgent need of a transplant, prompting her family to seek treatment abroad.
On 7 January 2026, it was confirmed that the surgery had been successful and that Little Medina was recovering well. Medical assessments indicated steady improvement, and she was cleared to return to Malaysia on 8 January 2026, roughly three weeks after being admitted for the procedure.
Ahead of her return, Dr Akmal made a personal trip to Shanghai to check on her condition and meet her family. His visit was not part of any official duty but stemmed from his earlier decision to contribute RM120,000 from his own savings to help cover the cost of the life-saving surgery. The funds had originally been set aside for a planned pilgrimage to Mecca with his wife.
During the visit, Dr Akmal spent time with Little Medina and her family, observing her recovery and offering moral support. He also met the surgeon who performed the transplant, Dr Yong, a Malaysian from Johor who is currently based in China. The meeting highlighted a lesser-known contribution of Malaysian medical professionals working abroad and their role in saving lives beyond national borders.
The family expressed deep appreciation for Dr Akmal’s presence, noting that his decision to travel from Malaysia to China solely to witness their daughter’s recovery was both unexpected and emotionally uplifting. They described the visit as a powerful gesture of compassion that went beyond financial assistance.
Little Medina’s case had earlier captured Dr Akmal’s attention after learning of the family’s struggle to raise funds for the surgery. His decision to donate his savings was made privately and without public expectation, motivated by a desire to help a child in critical need.
As Little Medina prepares to return home, her story has become a reminder of how individual acts of kindness can transcend politics, distance and personal sacrifice. Dr Akmal’s involvement, from financial support to personal presence, has underscored the impact of empathy-driven leadership and has left a lasting impression on the family whose child now has a second chance at life.
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