When Mdm Johanah Binte Ma’om first noticed an itch on both her legs after work in May 2024, she didn’t think much of it.
She was used to working long hours as a kitchen helper and thought that mild irritation was harmless.
But what began as a simple itch soon turned into a painful journey that tested her strength and resilience.
From Itch to Wounds
After persistent scratching over two months, Mdm Johanah’s itch worsened into wounds.
In July that year, she visited a polyclinic for quick relief and was prescribed with a cream.
Assuming that her wounds would heal with time, Mdm Johanah did not return for follow-up appointments. Unfortunately, they grew even larger and more painful.
In September 2024, the pain became unbearable and Mdm Johanah had to seek help at an acute hospital’s emergency department, where doctors found that her wounds were badly infected.
After her wounds were cleaned, Mdm Johanah was advised to make follow-up visits.
However, she stopped going for them as the treatments were painful.
A Painful Fall and Turning Point
Then, in June 2025, tragedy struck again.
While walking home from work one evening, Mdm Johanah tripped and fell.
Despite trying to push through and return to work the next day, the pain was too intense.
A visit to the polyclinic led to an urgent referral to an acute hospital on 16 June 2025, where she underwent surgery and was hospitalised for 10 days.
Recognising the complexity of her condition, the acute hospital transferred Mdm Johanah to St Luke’s Hospital (SLH) for specialised inpatient wound care.
Here, doctors diagnosed her with bilateral lower limb venous ulcers – a serious but treatable condition with proper wound management.
Healing with Expert Care
At SLH, Mdm Johanah received comprehensive wound care, including Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), a treatment that promotes healing by gently drawing fluid and infection from the wound.
Under the careful management of the hospital’s multidisciplinary wound care team, her wounds showed remarkable improvement, with progressive reduction in size.
“Her strong will and positive attitude made a big difference in her healing journey. It was inspiring to see how consistent care and patience led to visible improvement in her wounds,” said Mdm Johanah’s nurse, Duruga Devi.
Continued Recovery at SLCC
After nearly two months of dedicated care, Mdm Johanah was discharged on 18 August 2025.
Her healing journey continued at St Luke’s Community Clinic (SLCC), where she received home-based NPWT to ensure continuity of care.
Initially, Mdm Johanah attended the clinic twice weekly for professional wound assessment and dressing.
As her wounds improved, the frequency was reduced to once a week, thanks to her steady progress and commitment to follow-up care.
Throughout her treatment, Mdm Johanah felt deeply supported by the nurses and doctors who cared for her.
“The nurses at SLH are so friendly. My wounds got better much faster because of them,” she shared with a smile.
A Spirit of Resilience and Hope
Today, Mdm Johanah is focused on recovery and regaining her strength.
She lives with her sister and is a proud single mother of six grown-up children, all married and supportive of her healing journey.
Though she has left her job for now, she remains optimistic.
“Once my leg fully heals, I hope to start working again,” she says.
