New Anjung Kasih facility to be established at Bintulu Hospital

BINTULU (Sept 20): A fourth Anjung Kasih Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (YKN) facility in Sarawak will be established at Bintulu Hospital, joining the existing ones at Sarawak General Hospital, Sibu Hospital and Miri Hospital.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Nancy Shukri, also YKN chairperson, witnessed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony yesterday between YKN and Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad, for the establishment of the new facility.

YKN was represented by its chief executive officer Nordina Haron, while Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad by its group chief executive officer Ruslan Abdul Ghani.

“The objective of establishing Anjung Kasih is to provide humane accommodation for patients or their relatives while receiving treatment at the hospital. Patients undergoing treatment require assistance in managing their care and emotional support from family members or relatives.

“The existence of Anjung Kasih YKN helps alleviate the financial burden and time spent commuting from home to the hospital, while also strengthening family bonds,” said Nancy at the ceremony.

According to her, there are currently 19 fully operational Anjung Kasih facilities nationwide, benefiting 104,714 residents since their phased inception in 2006.

She said the Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad has generously sponsored RM1 million for the noble cause of establishing the 20th facility in Bintulu, and that she believed this strategic collaboration will benefit the community seeking treatment here.

“Thank you to Bintulu Port for contributing to this project. Special thanks also to the Health Ministry, particularly Bintulu Hospital, for their involvement from the initial visit to the proposed Anjung Kasih building.

“The noble corporate social responsibility efforts demonstrated by Bintulu Port are commendable and can serve as an example for other corporate entities to help those in need.

“I warmly welcome and encourage more contributions from corporates, non-governmental organisations or individuals to support YKN’s efforts in assisting those in need,” she said.

Adding on, Nancy said Anjung Kasih indirectly helps hospitals address the issue of overcrowded patient relatives in wards and reduces the risk of patient relatives being exposed to disease infections.

During a press conference following the MoU signing ceremony, Nancy said the Anjung Kasih facility at Bintulu Hospital will be equipped with 67 beds.

“Typically, for the construction of Anjung Kasih, we do not build new structures but utilise existing buildings. We will improve the current building and make significant improvements to ensure it is comfortable and suitable for long-term stays,” she said, adding that the Sarawak Health Department and Bintulu Hospital have identified an existing building for this facility.

“I was informed that patients in Bintulu not only come from the area but also from Belaga and Mukah, emphasising the crucial need of the new facility.

“The tender for the project should be issued before the end of this year from the Health Ministry,” she added.

Additionally, Nancy emphasised that the facility will cater not only to people from outside Bintulu, but also to local residents who may need to stay longer for treatments such as dialysis.

Also present at the ceremony were Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) secretary general Datuk Dr Maziah Che Yusoff; Bintulu Hospital director Dr Suzalinna Sulaiman; National Population and Family Development Board director general Syukur Abdullah; and Welfare Department Deputy director general (Strategic) Rosmahwati Ishak.