SIBU: More palliative care services should be provided for the growing population here, said Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting.
Ting noted that previously when the local people wanted medical care, they had to go seek treatment either in Kuching or Kuala Lumpur.
“Now we are expecting more health services coming to Sibu. We should get better services because the community here is growing and the need is there and we don’t have to go elsewhere just to get treatment for certain ailments.
“This (travel for treatment) costs money and is very tiring for the family. I hope that the state medical department, state government, and the federal government will hear the cries of Sibu people and set up palliative care services here,” he said.
Ting was speaking to reporters after officiating at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Borneo Palliative Care Conference on behalf of Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, today (Oct 28).
Meanwhile, Sibu Hospital director Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu said that palliative care services are also available through house call services, but plans are afoot to extend the services to clinics.
“We have limitations which explains why we brought in many technical people today (during the conference) to discuss how we can expand our services (palliative care) to local clinics.
“So, that means patients diagnosed with cancer at the hospital can be discharged and get the clinics to follow up. Hence, it will ensure the patient has a better quality of life and dignified death because this is for people with late diagnosis,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sibu Divisional Health Officer Dr Teh Jo Hun hoped the Sibu public will help government medical centres to expand palliative care services.
“Just like in Kuching, we have non-governmental organisations (NGOs) helping in this matter. We hope this awareness will be sown among the community in Sibu,” he said.
