Expansion move for Hospis

Saturday February 28, 2009
Expansion move for Hospis
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ


TO cater to their expanding needs, Hospis Malaysia in Taman Sri Bahtera, Cheras, is extending its building.

The new wing, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year, is a double-storey structure with a basement.

The project will cost RM5mil.

Hospis Malaysia general manager Rosehayati Ahmad said the extension was to cater to a day-care centre, treatment room, resting room and counselling room, while the basement was to store medical equipment.

She said the current building was occupied 10 years ago and since then the number of patients and their needs had grown.


Zaharil (right) presenting a mock cheque for RM5,000 to (from right) Leong Boon Peng, Teh Chee Keong, Dr Goh, Hospis Malaysia CEO & medical director Dr Ednin Hamzah and its council member, Linda Phang.

“We have about 400 patients with life-threatening diseases registered with us.

“Although we do not have patients living in the building with us, we need room for facilities like the day-care centre,” she said during a cheque presentation ceremony by MCA Cheras to Hospis Malaysia for the building fund on Thursday.

The organisation provides palliative medicine and care through a homecare programme where doctors and nurses administer their services at a patient’s home.

Rosehayati said the day-care centre was for patients who wanted to spend some time here and take part in activities with other patients.

“These activities can be simple like flower arrangement or handicraft.”

The day-care centre is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are about 15 patients a day.

Meanwhile, the organisation also loans medical equipment, beds and wheelchairs to patients.

“We have these equipment ready and those who are in need of them could borrow it from us.

“Once the basement is completed, the available equipment such as oxygen tanks, beds and suction pumps will be stored in there. Right now, space is a restriction,” she added.

Funded by public donations and contributions, the organisation’s operations expenditure for a year is RM1.6mil.

Present during the cheque presentation was Cheras MCA secretary Dr Jeffrey Goh and Implementation Coordination Unit director Datuk Mohd Zaharil Kasim.

Those who wish to contribute to the organisation’s building fund can contact 03-9133 3936.