By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Aug 28: Paediatric Ward 2A at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) is much more comfortable for patients and caregivers now, thanks to Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) RM50,000 sponsorship.
According to a statement from SCCS, significant upgrading works were carried out from May this year at the playroom, resting lounge, doctor’s consultation room and day care section of the ward.
“By upgrading the playroom, SCCS hopes to provide a nurturing and safe space for children’s activities, sharing and counselling sessions, as well as space for administrative work for SCCS’s support staff based at the ward.
“The doctor’s consultation room was upgraded to create a comfortable environment for doctors to provide consultations to caregivers and patients, while the day care section received a new customised cabinet to properly store medical consumables used at the daycare,” the statement said.
SCCS officially unveiled and handover the newly-upgraded ward to SGH today.
Apart from the upgrading project in SGH, SCCS also carried out upgrading works at the paediatric ward in Sibu General Hospital. The RM40,000 project is estimated to be ready by October.
“SCCS prioritises helping patients to complete their medical treatment provided by the government hospital in Sarawak, where many of these families fall into the middle to low income group.
“SCCS provides financial aid, transportation subsidies and also medical aid (upon recommendation by the medical doctors) to lighten the financial burden faced by the families,” SCCS said.
Up to July this year, the society has spent more than RM200,000 on donation of medical consumables, aids and financial subsidies alone.
“Over the past two years, SCCS has begun to look into survivorship issues. This year, in collaboration with the medical staff, the society has developed a survivorship passport to educate long term survivors to better understand their own health conditions and what to look out for.
“The society is also in the midst of building a survivor’s network for advocacy and peer support.”
SCCS, led by a committee made up of 70 per cent parents and 30 per cent volunteers with a staff of 10, has served more than 1,300 families to date.
The society is helping about 150 families annually.
Members of the public who would like to support the cause, can sign up for SCCS’s Heart of Gold recurring donation programme. Donations can be made monthly or quarterly with a minimum contribution of RM30 per month.
More information can be found on www.sccs.org.my or by contacting the office at 082-686276. — DayakDaily
