Parent-child relationships are often defined by deep, selfless love that leads to life-changing actions. This is demonstrated by Ayub Abdul Ghani, a 61-year-old father from Malaysia, who gave up a 40-year smoking habit to donate his kidney and save his son, Dr. Mohamad Zulkifli.
A Father’s Ultimate Sacrifice
In 2020, Dr. Mohamad Zulkifli, a 27-year-old medical student (who is now a doctor at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II in Kelantan), was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure.
This severe condition caused symptoms like persistent vomiting and dizziness, which disrupted both his studies and daily life. 
Every week, he underwent hemodialysis (a treatment that removes waste and extra fluids from the blood when the kidneys are no longer functioning properly) three times, with each session lasting four hours.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Zulkifli stayed focused on his dream of becoming a doctor.
Dr. Zulkifli’s Journey with Kidney Failure
Before his diagnosis, Dr. Zulkifli led an active life, enjoying hiking, traveling, and pursuing his medical career.
However, in 2020, during his third year at the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIA), he was hit with the devastating news of his kidney failure.
Dr. Zulkifli recalled feeling as though his dreams had been “buried,” and at times, he thought about giving up. But with the support of his family, and friends, and their prayers, he pressed on.
He continued his studies while managing dialysis, even attending classes with a catheter attached to his neck.
In 2021, he switched to continuous peritoneal dialysis, a process that required four 30-minute sessions each day. Tragically, in 2022, he lost his mother.
Despite all these hardships, he graduated with his medical degree and started working as a doctor in 2023, still undergoing dialysis.
Quitting Smoking for Love
Seeing his son struggle, Ayub made the difficult decision to donate a kidney. To become eligible for the transplant, he knew he had to quit smoking.
He began by cutting back on tobacco and quit entirely three months before the surgery
Dr. Zulkifli’s viral TikTok video showed his father (Ayub) using a spirometer to strengthen his lungs, symbolizing his commitment to improving his health for the transplant.
The Transplant: A New Beginning
On November 19, 2024, the transplant was successfully carried out at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The surgery lasted eight hours, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Ayub’s left kidney was transplanted into his son. By 6 p.m., Dr. Zulkifli had regained consciousness.
Both father and son were admitted to the ICU after the surgery—Ayub for one day and Dr. Zulkifli for two.
Ayub recovered quickly, walking and eating soon after, while Dr. Zulkifli, despite experiencing some pain, was overjoyed when his body began producing urine for the first time in four years.
Additionally, his creatinine levels improved, and he no longer needed dialysis.
Spreading Awareness and Hope
Dr. Zulkifli passionately advocates for organ donation, stressing its life-changing impact and encouraging families to consider donation as the best treatment for kidney failure. His story, shared through TikTok, has inspired many who admire his strength and his father’s love.
Ayub’s sacrifice of quitting smoking and donating a kidney shows the extraordinary lengths a parent will go to for their child.
Watch the video here:
@dr.zulkifli Tomorrow is the transplant day. May Allah ease everythings
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