KLANG, Mar. 1: The State Government approved the grant of an acre of land located in Bandar Parklands, Klang to Hospice Klang for the purpose of establishing a Palliative Care Centre which caters to outpatient follow-up treatment in particular.
Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Exco, Dr Xavier Jayakumar said the decision was made after considering the importance of creating this care centre for chronic patients living around Klang and Banting.
He said the Palliative Care Centre which is to be built is located in a strategic location, being close to the main route which will facilitate travel to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital as well as several other hospitals.
“The land grant has also been given and the centre is expected to be completed within a year and a half to two years,” he said at the handing over of the land in Bandar Parklands, Klang, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Hospice Klang is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which specialises in medical and emotional treatment programmes for critically ill patients with fatal illnesses such as the final stage of cancer.
Until now, the organisation relies on public donations to bear service costs, as assistance from the Ministry of Health is very minimal for the past two years.
Dr Xavier also hopes that the Federal Government will be more attentive to the cost of activities for Hospice Societies throughout Malaysia, which are mostly non-profit organisations.
“It should be the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure Palliative Care is available to all levels of society,” said the Sri Andalas assemblyman.
In the meantime, Hospice Klang Chairman, Dr Michael Yoong is grateful for the efforts of the State Government in providing the land for the construction of the Palliative Care Centre.
“Our wish to provide the best palliative care service would not have come true if the State Government had not generously given this land,” he said.