KUCHING: Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud has donated RM100,000 to the “Anjung Kasih” of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) through the National Welfare Foundation (YKN).
He announced this at the opening ceremony of “Anjung Kasih YKN”, a temporary shelter for patients’ family members, at SGH near here yesterday.
Taib said the “Anjung Kasih” had allowed family members to be close to those receiving treatment at SGH.
“This provides an opportunity for them to continue accompanying the patients in the hospital.
“Indirectly, the “Anjung Kasih” can also help hospitals cope with the problem of overcrowding in the wards,” he pointed out.
Taib also urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals to contribute to the establishment of more “Anjung Kasih” in the state.
“It is a concept that we have to spread out and a consciousness that we should develop in our society,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato’ Sri Rohani Abdul Karim explained that the government through YKN had established “Anjung Kasih” in selected government hospitals to help the needy.
At the moment, the government had established eight “Anjung Kasih” throughout Malaysia, with “Anjung Kasih SGH” as the largest.
“Anjung Kasih SGH” can accommodate up to 104 residents. Its facilities include 46 rooms, a living room, a dining room, bathrooms, a laundry room, a kitchen, an activity room, a supervisor room, counters and stores.
She added 4,162 people including patients and their families had benefited from the “Anjung Kasih” facilities from December, 2013 until March, 2017,
“Three “Anjung Kasih” in the state, namely, SGH, Miri Hospital and Sibu Hospital have provided services to 2.7 million people in Sarawak while, “Anjung Kasih SGH” has benefited more than 655,000 people around Kuching.
“The “Anjung Kasih” managed to save their families RM80 to RM100 a day,” she said.
Rohani also thanked the Rotary Club of Kuching Central for funding 50 percent of the renovation costs for “Anjung Kasih SGH”.
“In addition, thanks also to Plaza Merdeka Holding, Waterfront Hotel and 360 Hotel Kuching for their corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions.
“My deepest appreciation also to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) which helps the “Anjung Kasih” residents by providing daily meals twice weekly and thanks also to Inland Revenue Board (IRB) for donating a refrigerator,” she said.
Also present at the ceremony were the Head of State’s wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajjah Raghad Kurdi Taib, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker. Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nasar, Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing, Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah and Minister of Local Government Datuk Dr. Sim Kui Hian.
