Kota Kinabalu: Fourteen rooms at the Rumah Ronald McDonald House have been fully sponsored for one year, ensuring continued accommodation support for families of children receiving medical treatment at the facility.
The sponsorship, valued at RM25,500, was provided by the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and was formalised during a mock cheque presentation and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the hospital on Monday.
The event was officiated by LCIF Chairperson and Immediate Past President, Fabricio Oliveira.
Oliveira highlighted that the initiative aligns with the foundation’s mission to serve communities in need and support families facing challenging circumstances during medical treatments.
Chairwoman of Rumah Ronald McDonald House, Siti Mahani Sidek, emphasised that the program is particularly significant for low-income and financially disadvantaged families, who often struggle with the expenses of traveling for medical treatment.
Many of these families travel from remote areas such as Sandakan, Tawau, and Kudat, covering long distances to reach Kota Kinabalu for specialized care. The travel often involves multiple modes of transport, including buses and boats, and can cost hundreds of ringgit.
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“The availability of accommodation significantly eases the financial and emotional strain on parents while their children undergo treatment,” Siti said.
She added that the 14 rooms are fully occupied year-round, underscoring the high and constant demand for such facilities among families in need.
Due to this continued demand, the Lions Clubs International Foundation is exploring expansion options to better accommodate the growing number of families.
Proposals are currently under consideration for the construction of an additional block that could add up to 20 more rooms, pending approval from the Health Ministry.
Dr Yogendra A/L Panchalingam, Director of the Sabah Women and Children Hospital, noted that the hospital treats a wide range of paediatric conditions, including severe illnesses like cancer, with leukemia among the cases handled.
He said the sponsorship ensures that families can stay at no cost, allowing them to focus entirely on their children’s treatment and recovery without the added burden of financial concerns.
He also expressed that the initiative is a testament to the long-standing partnership between the Lions Clubs International Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities, which has supported families of hospitalised children worldwide.
