THE Penang Hospice Society has been lauded for providing medical care to patients staying at home to help reduce their suffering.
Chong Eng, the state executive councillor for Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, said unlike the situation in developed countries, formal health care system here does not extend medical care services to the homes of patients with life-limiting diseases.
Care in the home for a loved one stricken with life threating illnesses, such as cancer, has to be provided by family and friends.
“I would like to commend the work of Penang Hospice Society, where medical care is given in the homes of patients covering the whole state of Penang,” she told a press conference at Komtar to announce the Charity Food & Fun Fair 2019 in aid of Penang Hospice Society’s Hospice At Home Programme.
The fair will be held at St Anne’s Hall, Bukit Mertajam on April 28, from 9am to 2pm.
Chong Eng added that from the inception of ‘Hospice At Home Programme’ in 1992, no charges have been imposed for this service to ensure that anybody can request for it without worrying about the costs.
“Their operational cost for running this programme in 2018 was RM1,071,941. The society is entirely dependent on public donations and fund-raising efforts such as this ‘Charity Food & Fun Fair’ to carry on this community service in Penang.
“Let’s help them to continue this special kind of home caring in the home which began 28 years ago.
“The state government is committed to providing support to Penang Hospice Society to achieve their vision,” she stressed.
Also present were Penang Hospice Society vice-chairman Datuk Seri Dr T. Deveraj, Charity Food and Fun Fair organising chairman Helen Chew Saw Chin and Tracie Chan from Malaysia Global United 2019.
Devaraj said the fund to be raised from the ‘Charity Food & Fun Fair 2019’ would be used to continue their innovative community service ‘Hospice At Home Programme’.
“This community service covers the state of Penang and till now a cumulative total of 9,082 patients till the end of 2017 have been helped. At any one time, we have about 200 patients under care and do not charge any fee for this service.
“Our appeal is for donations in cash or kind for our food stalls. All food sold will be via coupons and all proceeds will go to support this free community service,” he added.
Chong Eng is expected to launch the charity food fair at 10.30am on April 28.
Among the highlights will be health screening, line dance, square dance, Zumba, singing and games. Besides, there will be a variety of stalls selling hawker food, dried foodstuff, essential groceries and cakes.
For further information, contact 04-537 4140/04-228 4140.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi