TAWAU: Persatuan Hospis Tawau, Sabah has expanded its palliative care services to include non-cancer and paediatric patients, in response to growing community needs. It provided care to more than 200 home-based patients last year alone.
“The Home Care Team, serving areas within a 30-km radius conducted over 900 home visits, 170 hospital visits, and 1,800 patient-related calls throughout the year,” said chairlady Madam Gayline Ong Ah Kiat.
Marking 27 years of service, Persatuan Hospis Tawau remains committed to providing compassionate care while upholding the legacy of its founder, the late Datuk Victor Raja.
The association continues to provide essential medical equipment, such as hospital beds and oxygen concentrators, on a loan basis free of charge.
To meet increasing demand, an additional 10 hospital beds and 22 oxygen concentrators were procured over the past two years.
This was revealed at its 28th annual meeting at Rumah Hospis Tan Sri Lau Gek Poh, recently.
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Financial assistance was also extended through the Cancer Patient Welfare Fund, with more than RM75,000 disbursed to 29 patients from low-income households last year.
Essential items, including milk powder, adult and paediatric diapers, and medical consumables are also regularly provided to patients in need.
The annual Specialist Clinic Day recorded 155 participants, with 418 health screenings conducted and 196 cases referred to Tawau Hospital for further evaluation. Many participants expressed appreciation, noting that early detection enabled timely treatment.
Throughout 2025, the association organised various activities, including Weekly Wednesday High-Tea Gatherings, festive celebrations, and members’ outings.
Efforts to enhance knowledge and expertise included training programs and workshops in homecare and palliative care, as well as participation in conferences in Kuching and awareness events in Kota Kinabalu.
Members and staff also visited palliative care units in Kota Kinabalu to exchange knowledge and best practices.
The association acknowledged the continued support of its volunteers, medical professionals, and partner institutions, particularly Tawau Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Special appreciation was extended to Dr Ng Wan Jun, Palliative Care Specialist of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kota Kinabalu cum Ketua Perkhidmatan Paliatif Negeri Sabah, for her ongoing guidance and support.
It relies on public support and welcomes donations and volunteers to sustain its services.
It expressed sincere gratitude to its donors, the Sabah Government, the Ministry of Health and the Lau Gek Poh Foundation for their continued support.
The other exco members elected were:
Vice Chairman: Dr Tong Yan Yee, Secretary: Connie Aw Lai Fen, Treasurer: Cecilia Khoo Yin Huen,
Committee Members: Liew Lee Moi, Datin Jenny Yuen Siew Kien, Tay Ven Hau, Rosman Abd Razak, Helena Chai Su Lan, Peggy Loo Fui Yung, Preaziah Singkong, and Chung Shuk Yong.
