By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 14: “How do I wash her hair?”
That was one of the challenges Sarawak’s Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian recalled while caring for his late mother during her final weeks, an experience he says underscored the importance of specialised palliative care in Sarawak.
Speaking at the 2026 Prize Presentation and Charity Night in conjunction with Kuching Festival 2026 last night (Aug 13), Dr Sim highlighted Kuching Life Care Society’s hospice as Sarawak’s first privately built palliative care facility, established through fundraising to provide specialised end-of-life care.
He said the facility was built on land provided by the Sarawak government and now accommodates the government’s palliative care service, with healthcare personnel caring for patients there.
“When the government doesn’t have the facilities, we build privately. Then we get the government to operate the private facilities,” he said.
Dr Sim then shared his own experience after his mother, who had colon cancer, was given about two weeks to live.
She chose to remain at home, and Dr Sim said his family took turns caring for her, eventually spending 13 weeks with her.
His sons also returned home, with the family organising shifts to look after her throughout the day and night.
Dr Sim’s mother, Puan Sri Datin Amar Lim Su Kheng, passed away on Nov 17, 2025, at the age of 83.
It was only towards the end, when her condition worsened, that nurses from Kuching Life Care came in to provide additional support.
Among the things they helped with was washing his mother’s hair using dry shampoo.
“I don’t know how to wash her hair. I’m not a palliative care specialist,” Dr Sim said.
The experience, he said, showed that palliative care is not simply about treating pain or managing medication, but also helping families handle the everyday realities of caring for someone at the end of life.
“If we don’t have Kuching Life Care, honestly, what am I going to do?” he said.
Dr Sim further said Kuching Life Care demonstrated the “semangat Sarawak”, where private fundraising and government support can come together to fill gaps in healthcare and give patients dignity in their final days.
Kuching Life Care Society’s RM19 million Hospice and Palliative Care Centre in Taman Desa Wira, Kuching, has a total capacity of 58 beds, of which 35 are allocated for Sarawak General Hospital’s (SGH) palliative care service.
The service was relocated from SGH to the centre in April 2026, bringing its doctors, nurses, pharmacists and support staff with it.
The facility was built through community fundraising, with land provided by the Sarawak government, and provides specialised care for terminally ill patients.
Also present during the 2026 Prize Presentation and Charity Night were Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng and Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili. — DayakDaily
