SIBU: Parents of children requiring palliative care are encouraged to register with the Malaysia Children’s Hospice (MCH) Sibu to access essential support and services.
Malaysian Paediatric Palliative Care Association chairman Dr Lee Chee Chan said that many parents remain unaware of MCH’s presence in Sibu, which became Malaysia’s second branch after its establishment in November last year.
“Research shows that children’s hospices can reduce hospital admissions by at least twice per patient annually, lower medical costs by 87 per cent, significantly enhance quality of life, and potentially extend life expectancy by at least a year.”
He said this when met by reporters at the MCH Sibu appreciation dinner here, Sunday (Nov 10).
He added that despite the MCH benefits, Dr Lee said that the awareness about the hospice in Sibu remains low, leading to underutilisation of the services.
“Sibu is fortunate to have a children’s hospice, but not many people know about it, and we aren’t receiving many referrals from doctors due to this lack of awareness.
“That’s why tonight we aim to raise awareness and promote this hospice. We want doctors, nurses, and families to know it’s here, and we hope the media will help us spread the word,” he added.
Dr Lee added that the hospice in Sibu is one of only three children’s hospices in Malaysia, alongside facilities in Jalan Kuching and Klang.
He also announced plans by the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (MAPPAC) to open two additional MCH branches next year in Penang and Kota Kinabalu, bringing the total to five nationwide.
“In Malaysia, around 22 to 24 hospices provide adult care, but children who need palliative care often lack adequate support and each year, about 80,000 children need palliative care due to life-limiting conditions,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the Farley Group for its substantial support in establishing the hospice in Sibu.
Meanwhile, Yayasan Farley director Eijing Lau reflected on their decision to support the creation of MCH Sibu, the first children’s hospice in Sarawak, a year ago, saying it was the right choice.
“As a foundation dedicated to helping the underprivileged, we agreed to provide full financial support for setting up this centre. Officially opened a year ago, I understand the centre now serves more than 10 patients,” he said.
