Lions Club enhances paediatric cancer care at Sibu Hospital

SIBU: Sibu Hospital caters to about 80 children with blood disorders and cancers, both as outpatient and inpatient.

Giving an overview of the paediatric cancer landscape and treatment in the hospital, the hospital’s child pediatrician, Dr Benjamin Ng Wei Liang, said as a secondary referral hospital, it runs its own paediatric haematology and oncology unit.

“Of our referral process, all these newly diagnosed children will go to Kuching for their initial treatment. We also cater for children from neighbouring districts such as Sarikei, Mukah, Kanowit and Daro,” he said at the Lions International District 308-A2 Lions Expedition Region 2 & Region 3 joint Childhood Cancer Project held at Sibu Hospital on Friday (Jan 19).

The project included contribution of mural painting, corridor painting, corridor canvas, ceiling fans, new sofas, story books, board games, toy boxes, standing fan, water boiler, kettle, jugs and books rack.
Dr Ng said these children are—as he calls them—brave warriors.

There is no one at all, he pointed out, who will be able to imagine the pain both these children and the parents have to endure.

“Imagine coming for treatment daily. Needle pricks, blood taking. For those from far, they won’t have the options of going home and commuting daily.

“Instead they need to stay for a long periods to complete treatment. This is not to mention the times when they develop infections.

“These children are at their worse of health. They are frail, poor appetite at times, and poor immune system. They get infection far more easily than you and I. Some recover with antibiotics, but a small number will be very ill, and need longer hospital stay, delay in treatment and chemotherapy.”

Dr Ng explained that the worst part that he has ever seen in his cancer patients are having a mouth full of ulcers and severe sore throat which they could not eat and drink.

Hence, he said they need tube feeding, and the process may be prolonged, and stressful moments for both the parents and child.

But, he said, it is not always the dark and gloom in cancer treatment as children are resilient.

With good family and societal support, he said, their journey can be a lot easier and less painful.

He said over the years, the hospital is gradually build up its service and facility with the help from the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“This time, in collaboration with Lions Club, we have put up a new coat of paint and two wonderful murals crafted by the talented artist, Win Son Koro from Sabah, who I am very grateful to have made his acquaintance. These murals had so much personal touch in it, and has really brighten the space.

“Description alone does not do them justice, suffice to say. On top of these, this project had contributed various other electronic goods for both patient use, and also for the staff – fans, kettles and boiler.

“Not forgetting to mention, the brand new toys and books for the children. Some of the kids who had come to visit over the weekend had been eyeing at the toys wanting to ‘officiate’ it.”

He said this contribution by Lions Club will go a long way in improving the care of the cancer patients, and hopefully with all these new upgrades, it makes their visit to the hospital more cheeful one.

He believed in terms of caring for patients with cancer, be it children or adults, medical treatment is just a small part of panacea.

“A little bit of human touch and empathy to understand their hardship and a listening ear can sometimes do more than what medicine can offer.”

During the visit, the Lions Clubs also handed over gifts, including angpau, to the cancer children.

Among those present were director of Sibu Hospital, Dr Nanthakumar; and Lions International District 308-A2 Govenor Kapitan Ronny Hiew Ah Choi.