SIBU: About 2,000 paediatric cases here need some form of palliative care every year but sadly, only about 10 per cent of them receive palliative care.
“Therefore, the development of palliative care is a priority for Sarawak,” said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“The Health Department is in process of training many primary care physicians in palliative care,” he said at the opening of the Malaysian Children’s Hospice (MCH) Sibu in Jalan Salim here Saturday (Nov 11).
Dr Sim who is also Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, was represented by the chairman of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Clarence Ting at the event.
Additionally, Dr Sim pointed out, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteers such as MCH Sibu are very much needed to fill the gap in palliative care services throughout Sarawak.
“We urge the community and private sector to be actively involved and committed to support palliative and hospice care through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes such as what has been done here at MCH Sibu.
“Of course, MCH Sibu needs more support to continue their services in future, either volunteers as well as financial support.
“I understand that the MCH Sibu – the first children’s hospice in Sarawak, is a realisation of a vision by a group of volunteers from Sibu Hospital and through collaboration between the public, non-profit, and corporate sectors, their vision turned into action and reality,” he said.
He believed this centre will make a difference in Sibu especially for children who are suffering from cancer and other diseases that need palliative care.
According to him, the main purpose of MCH Sibu is to create a nurturing, caring environment that allows families going through the unimaginable to spend precious quality time with each other, while also allowing for palliative care services to continue for the patient.
Sometimes, he said, the hospital ward is not a very ideal place for children.
Thanking Yayasan Farley for their support to making this centre a success, he hoped this will be an example for other companies to give back to the community.
“To the volunteers and staff of MCH Sibu, keep up the good work and continue to provide the best care for your patients,” Dr Sim added.
Among those present were President of Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (MAPPAC) Dr Lee Chee Chan, Chairman of MCH Sibu Dr Jee Rou Chen, Sibu Divisional Health Officer Dr Teh Jo Hun, Director of Farley Group Eiseng Lau, Chairman of Sibu Mental Health Association Kapitan So Teck Kee and Kapitan Wong Hua Yan.
ends
