By William Isau
SIBU, Oct 28: Palliative care services need to be extended to Sibu so that residents would not need to travel far to seek such services.
Speaking to reporters after officiating at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Borneo Palliative Care Conference today, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting said as it is now, residents have to go either to Kuching or Kuala Lumpur for such service.
“The community here is growing; the need is there. This (travelling for treatment) costs money and is very tiring for the family. I hope that the State health department and State and federal governments will hear the cries of Sibu people and set up palliative care services here,” he said, representing Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian at the function.
Sibu Divisional Health Officer Dr Teh Jo Hun concurred with Ting, who also hoped that more members of the public would help in expanding palliative care services to Sibu.
“Just like in Kuching, we have non-governmental organisations (NGOs) helping in the matter. So we hope this awareness will be sown among the community in Sibu,” he said.
In response, Sibu Hospital director Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu said that currently, palliative care services are only run by the palliative care nurses in the hospital, and they are expanding it to visiting patients at their houses.
“We have limitations, which is why we brought in technicians today (during the conference) to discuss how we can expand our services (palliative care) not only in hospitals but in the community, such as through local clinics and more,” he said. — DayakDaily
