SHAH ALAM – A husband’s decision to donate a kidney to his wife to grant her a second chance at life stands as a poignant testament to enduring love and devotion.
Mohd Nadzim Nik Omar, 42, made the life-changing commitment after his wife, Sharifah Shafiah Syed Shah Minan, 40, was diagnosed with kidney failure resulting from cyst formation in both kidneys.
The oil well completion engineer explained that his wife’s condition was discovered by chance after the couple underwent comprehensive blood tests in 2020, prompted by a history of cancer among her siblings.
“The results indicated that my wife had abnormal kidney readings, and we were subsequently referred to a nephrologist at a private hospital.
“Further tests revealed high creatinine levels and confirmed that cysts had accumulated in both kidneys, causing their function to deteriorate,” he said.
Nadzim stated that his wife’s creatinine levels continued to rise, with her kidneys nearing total failure between January 2021 and December 2024.
Concerned that her health could reach a critical state, the couple transferred her treatment to Hospital Puncak Alam in June 2025 to begin consultations regarding a kidney transplant.
“I stepped forward and volunteered to be the donor. Initially, my family was hesitant, as they were concerned about the potential risks to my own health.
“However, after I gathered information and spoke to individuals living with a single kidney, my family eventually understood and offered their full support,” he said.
Working in the oil and gas sector, frequently stationed overseas for deep-sea operations, Nadzim faced significant time and financial constraints.
To overcome these, he utilised his leave periods to focus on his physical readiness, exercising regularly and adopting a rigorous healthy lifestyle to ensure he was fit for surgery.
“This experience has strengthened our family bond. I feel more at ease earning a living now, knowing that my wife’s health has been restored,” he said.