Kuching's Hospital Sentosa receives RM946,000 equipment donation
KUCHING (May 29): Hospital Sentosa here today received a donation of medical and non-medical equipment worth RM946,000 from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, facilitated by the Rotary Club of Urban Kuching.
The handover ceremony, held at the hospital, was officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister.
In his keynote address, Dr Sim expressed appreciation to both organisations for their generous contribution, which he said would significantly enhance mental healthcare services in the state.
'This morning, we are coming together not just to deliver love, but actually deliver with patience and enthusiasm,' he said.
The donation is part of a broader initiative totalling RM1.9 million, which also saw Hospital Bau receiving RM511,000 worth of equipment on May 26, and Hospital Lundu receiving RM395,000 on May 27.
Dr Sim commended Elder Larry and Sister Yevette Hathaway of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, for their dedication and contributions.
He said the contribution is aimed at strengthening hospital operations by equipping healthcare professionals with essential tools, especially in the field of mental health.
'Even though Hospital Sentosa is the only major specialist hospital institute to focus on mental health in Sarawak, this shows how inclusive it is.
'It's always very hard in our community when you say mental hospitals, everybody has this stigma, but they forget that mental health now is really quite common and crying for help in the community,' he said.
Dr Sim also highlighted the pressing need for healthcare development in Sarawak, stating that 70 per cent of the state's healthcare facilities are currently in a dilapidated state.
He reiterated Sarawak's call for greater autonomy in healthcare management under Article 95C of the Federal Constitution, in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
He noted that the Sarawak government remains committed to improving healthcare infrastructure, citing the state's RM1 billion allocation for the upcoming cancer hospital in Kuching.
He further emphasised the importance of collaboration between local and international partners to enhance public health services, stating that the impact of current efforts will be felt for years to come.
'What you do today, in 20 years, may be very different. You have to sow the seed. Whether through government efforts or other initiatives, we will continue to evolve and transform,' he said.
Also present were Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, Hospital Sentosa director Dr Rosliwati Mohd Yusoff and Nigel Wee, who represented the President of the Rotary Club of Urban Kuching.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
20 hours ago
- Borneo Post
No more folders for patients soon as 149 health clinics in Sarawak to go paperless
Dr Sim (third right) is briefed on the paperless system. – Photo from Facebook/Dr Sim Kui Hian KUCHING (July 15): A total of 149 public health clinics statewide will transition to a paperless system this year with RM10 million in grants from the Sarawak government. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said among them is the Batu Kawa Health Clinic, which is on track to go paperless and undergo major facility upgrades as part of the state government's push to modernise healthcare services. 'A total 149 out of 271 health clinics — which handle 70 per cent of the patient load in Sarawak — will be paperless this year. Patients will no longer need to carry written folders,' he said in a Facebook post following a working visit to the clinic. Dr Sim also said that the Batu Kawa Health Clinic is undergoing an RM900,000 upgrading project, which includes expansion of its blood test laboratory, improvements to its air conditioning system, electrical works, and septic tank upgrades. He said the improvements, currently at 12 per cent completion, are on schedule and expected to be completed by December. Dr Sim also called for public understanding over any inconvenience caused during the clinic's digital transition and construction works. Batu Kawa Health Clinic Dr Sim Kui Hian paperless health clinic
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Home when there's nowhere else
SIBU: At 74, Dorothy Fong spends most of her days in a wheelchair. She lost her mobility in a tragic accident eight years ago while cycling to work. Since then, life has been a steep descent – alone, jobless and unable to care for herself. 'I had no one else to rely on,' said Fong, who was given away by her parents when she was just eight months old. She eventually found refuge at the Sibu Benevolent Society Care Centre, a licensed charitable home that provides shelter to elderly people who have been abandoned or have no family. Fong is one of 28 residents currently living at the home in Jalan Teng Chin Hua. The residents – 15 women and 13 men, aged between 60 and 80 – come from mostly middle-income backgrounds. Built on community: Robert (second from left) and his team collecting donations at the Sibu Central Market. Their former occupations vary from labourers, general workers and hawkers to a martial arts teacher and most recently, a woman who used to sell cendol. 'We are a home of last resort. Most of our residents either have no family or were abandoned. 'We're licensed to take in 80 people but we can only afford to house 30 due to budget constraints,' said Robert Chew, the vice-chairman of the home. Before accepting a new resident, the society conducts a thorough screening process. 'They must be able to take care of themselves in basic ways, like eating and moving around. 'We currently have three residents who need to be spoon-fed by our caregivers. 'Unfortunately, we cannot accept those with dementia or Parkinson's disease because we don't have the means for full-time healthcare staff,' Robert said. While the centre does accept some individuals referred by family members or friends, those with family support are generally not prioritised. 'If they do have people who bring them in, we request a minimal contribution of around RM1,000 a month. 'For those who really cannot afford any contribution, we will still accept them,' he added. The home operates without financial grants from the state or federal governments. Instead, it relies entirely on public donations to stay afloat. Every Sunday morning, Robert and a team of about 20 volunteers head to the Sibu Central Market to collect food donations from generous hawkers – a tradition that has spanned three generations of his family. As the flag bearer, he rings a copper bell for about half an hour, starting at 8am. So far, only three people have held the responsibility. The first was the late Chew Giok Lin and then his son, the late Chew Peng Ann, followed by Peng Ann's son Robert. Like his elders, Robert would lead two teams of 20 volunteers – one group to the dry section and the other to the wet section of the market where hawkers would make donations. The donated perishables are usually enough to feed the residents for a week. 'My grandfather started the initiative in the 1950s at the now demolished old wet market in Jalan Market. 'My father continued this tradition from 1984 to 2004. Now I am carrying it on,' Robert said. The practice remains a pillar of the home's operations. 'When market traders see us, they give us vegetables, meat, fish and rice. 'During festive seasons, people also stop by to make donations either in cash or items. The community has kept us going,' he said. Volunteers from a church also help with cleaning the premises. Once a month, a medical team from the Health Department will conduct a health screening for the residents. But the road ahead is not without challenges. The home employs 10 full-time staff, including nurses, caregivers, administrative workers and a cook. 'With rising costs, we are stretched thin. Without people donating perishable items, we will have to spend between RM30,000 and RM40,000 a month to feed the residents. That is a big sum which we cannot afford,' Robert added. The Sibu Benevolent Society was first established in 1945 by the British colonial government and initially operated out of an army barracks in Jalan Bukit Lima. In 1992, it moved to its current premises. For Fong and many others like her, the home represents more than a shelter – it's a second chance at dignity and care in the final chapter of their lives. 'I'm just grateful I'm not alone anymore,' she said. Meanwhile, the SGHA returns for the 11th edition to honour everyday Malaysians whose compassion and selflessness have made a lasting impact on others. With McDonald's Malaysia as the new strategic partner, SGHA is poised to broaden its reach and deepen its impact nationwide. This year also marks the debut of the McDonald's Caring Hearts Award – a special recognition honouring individuals or grassroots groups whose heartfelt acts of kindness have uplifted lives in profound and lasting ways. Since its inception in 2015, SGHA has honoured over 100 individuals and organisations whose efforts have inspired action, transformed lives and strengthened communities nationwide.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Malaysia's drug-laced vape crisis
Whether we like it or not, we must acknowledge that Malaysia is facing a vape crisis. We can't claim to be surprised. Malaysia's Health and Morbidity Survey, as long ago as 2022, alerted the nation of the growing danger: 14.9 per cent of school students aged 13-17 were vape users. Three states have done the wise thing. Perlis, Terengganu and Johor have either banned vaping or stopped issuing licences to vape traders. But Malaysia isn't just the three states. A nationwide ban is needed if we want to save our teenagers from ruining their lives, and simultaneously protecting the nation's future. True, as lawyers point out, there is a chance for state laws to be in conflict with federal laws to the extent the former aren't consistent with the latter as spelt out in Article 75 of the Federal Constitution. A nationwide ban will avoid this. What takes a country to a good place? Human resources — the educated and healthy ones. Both of these are a challenge when Malaysians start vaping as early as 12. The vape industry is big. According to the Malaysian Vape Industry Study 2023 by the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce, the business was worth RM3.48 billion in 2023. There were 306 vape industry players in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Melaka and Penang alone in 2022. The industry as a whole employed 31,500 people, more than double that of 2019. The study also revealed that there were 1.4 million adult vape users. Sure, traders and workers will be impacted. But why perpetuate an unhealthy — even a dangerous — trade that will only cost the government more in health bills later? Isn't prevention better than cure? Prevention was also in the mind of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, when, on April 17, he urged other states to ban vaping. His call to action is not about a future threat, but a present danger. The police are detecting more and more vape use being linked to synthetic drug abuse, he told reporters. A worrying 65 per cent of vape contents had methamphetamine and ecstasy, two drugs favoured by teenagers. Students as young as 13 years old were found using vape devices containing liquids mixed with drugs. Welcome to the world of drug-laced vapes, known as "Kpods", whose deceptive flavours lead the young into the venomous world of zombies. One puff and the rest is an addled-mind story. Little do the teenagers realise the long-term neurological and organ damage such "zombie" drugs cause. If this isn't worrying enough, vape-drug processing laboratories are being discovered around the country. On April 16, the police uncovered a drug laboratory in Kedah processing vape liquids containing drugs. The processed drugs were meant for distribution in Kedah, Penang and the Klang Valley. The police arrested 61 people and seized RM6 million worth of drugs in the raid. If drug syndicates used to import them from the Golden Triangle, they have now set up drug processing labs here, with generous help from greedy locals.
