KOTA KINABALU: Palliative Care Association (PCA) is planning to expand its present building to accommodate the growing needs of the home care programme.
Its president, Margaret Lim, said this and added that the expansion would also include accommodating the needs of the patients, increase of manpower to meet the increasing number of patients, a bigger day care centre for respite care, and bigger storage place for medical aid and equipment.
“We will also need drugs and medical supplies, training and physical facilities to upgrade and further develop our services. We will continue to work hard, find ways and means and have faith in raising sufficient funds to realise this dream,” said Lim during the 13th PCA annual charity dinner and concert on Saturday.
She added PCA is a step further, reaching out, not only to patients who are diagnosed with incurable cancer but also patients with incurable organ failure.
“We have also looked after more than 20 children since 2007,” said Lim.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman was also present to grace the event.
Guests were entertained by the energetic performances of The Carpenters from Kempsey. Also performing that night were Renee Barrow and Roger Wang.
The evening also saw the auction of paintings by local artists, namely Tina Rimmer, Zaimie Sahibil, Dzulkifli Abdul Rahman, Francis Chong, Malmie Scott, Suzani Suhaimi and Christianna Gooting.
PCA provides financial, medical and counseling assistance at no charge to patients of advanced incurable cancers and their families.
As such, PCA rely public assistance collected through charity dinners, fund raising concerts and donations from the people to enable them to continue providing valuable services.
PCA affirms that life takes death as a natural process. It neither hastens death nor prolongs life. It allows the patient to experience life to the fullest until the last possible moment of his or her life.
Among the medical assistance available at the home ranges from the use of wheelchairs and ripple mattresses to prevent bedsores, oxygen breathing units and basic medical examinations.
For those truly in need, PCA also provides financial assistance to the best of its capabilities
But its greatest impact can be felt in the love and assurance it gives beneficiaries through counseling and therapeutic offerings, which form part of their day care centre services.
The objectives of the day care centre are to provide stimulation and enjoyment through activities which focus on individual needs and choices, respite care fore carers, opportunities for patients to interact with other patients and volunteers, and to provide psycho-social support and alleviate feelings of isolation.