Volunteers marking Nurafiqah's 16th birthday at the Communicable Disease Centre. The hospital was her second home and she sometimes stayed for a few months.

One night about three years ago, Nurafiqah thrashed about in her bed in a ward at the old Communicable Disease Centre (CDC), seized by an excruciating pain in her stomach.

“I was quite sure I was going to die,” says the 24-year-old polytechnic student.

Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article.

Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month

  • Latest headlines and exclusive stories
  • In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content
  • Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months*
Subscribe now

*Terms and conditions apply.

Last modified: December 20, 2020