Hospis Malaysia needs public support to continue their work
Hospis Malaysia needs the public’s support to continue their work of providing palliative care.At 25, nurse Thow Meai Jiun believes she has attained the wisdom of figuring out what matters most in life, and she said it’s not riches.
“I have realised that more than money, it is relationships with my family and friends that truly matter in life,” said Thow who has learnt this from caring for patients who suffer from life-limiting illnesses.
Thow has been a nurse with Hospis Malaysia, a charitable organisation that offers palliative care to patients within the Klang Valley, for almost a year.
As a palliative care nurse, Thow is tasked with caring for and monitoring patients not only at their homes but in hospitals and nursing homes.
“We educate our patients and their families about their health situations, answer any questions they may have and provide the support they need to improve their quality of life,” she said.
One of the biggest misconceptions about palliative care is that most of us tend to associate it with the end of life and care for the dying.
Hospis Malaysia aims to educate people to focus on the quality of life.
“It is all about making the most out of life for as long as the patients have it,” said Hospis Malaysia general manager Tham Su Ming.
Hospis Malaysia attends to patients in their homes, especially when they are very ill. An important part of palliative care is also addressing the patient’s family’s concerns.
“When a patient is in hospital, the family tends to be more assured as there is a team of doctors and nurses looking after them.
Tabla player Raja Kumar has multiple myeloma, but he remains upbeat and tries to enjoy his time with his loved ones.
“But when they are discharged, most family members ask, ‘how can we cope?’,” said Tham, adding that this is when Hospis Malaysia offers their support services.
Hospis Malaysia provides free clinical services to its patients, which is largely funded by donations and contributions from the public and corporate sector.
Hospis Malaysia also runs a daycare centre for patients at its premises in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Hospis Malaysia’s operating expenses which includes the costs of medicine and medical equipments, training and education, staff remuneration and general administration is almost RM3mil a year.
Fortunately, this year, Hospis Malaysia is once again selected as one the beneficiaries of Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014.
“Every year, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon makes a conscious effort to help raise funds for Malaysian charities.
“The community effort is known as the Run For A Reason programme, where runners who pledge under the programme can choose charity partners they wish to support,” said Standard Chartered KL Marathon owner and organiser Dirigo Events Sdn Bhd’s co-founder Gloria Ng.
“This is the second year Hospis Malaysia is on board as charity partner and we decided to work with the organisation due to their commendable efforts in creating awareness and championing palliative care, a cause that may not be well established in the country as yet.
“We also hope the donations will help patients have quality lives despite their illnesses,” added Ng.
As the Standard Chartered KL Marathon coincides with the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on Oct 12, Hospis Malaysia will be using this opportunity to spread the awareness on palliative care and the work done by the people behind the organisation.
“Last year, at the Standard Chartered KL Marathon, we had volunteers carry placards on the facts and myths of palliative care.
“As this year’s theme features the work of palliative care workers, the volunteers will flash placards that show the importance of the work done by our team of doctors, nurses and volunteers,” said Tham, adding that volunteers play a crucial role at Hospis Malaysia.
Nurse Thow Meai Jiun learns what’s most important in life from her patients.
“The volunteers don’t get involved in the treatments for the patients but they provide support to patients and their families.
“Some volunteers may get more involved and committed to the cause, and some become full-time staff nurses,” said Tham.
Ng hopes the public could get more involved and support Hospis Malaysia’s work.
They can learn more about palliative care at Hospis Malaysia’s booth during the marathon at Dataran Merdeka next month.
Source: The Star
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Hospis Malaysia needs the public’s support to continue their work of providing palliative care.
At 25, nurse Thow Meai Jiun believes she has attained the wisdom of figuring out what matters most in life, and she said it’s not riches.
“I have realised that more than money, it is relationships with my family and friends that truly matter in life,” said Thow who has learnt this from caring for patients who suffer from life-limiting illnesses.
Thow has been a nurse with Hospis Malaysia, a charitable organisation that offers palliative care to patients within the Klang Valley, for almost a year.
As a palliative care nurse, Thow is tasked with caring for and monitoring patients not only at their homes but in hospitals and nursing homes.
“We educate our patients and their families about their health situations, answer any questions they may have and provide the support they need to improve their quality of life,” she said.
One of the biggest misconceptions about palliative care is that most of us tend to associate it with the end of life and care for the dying.
Hospis Malaysia aims to educate people to focus on the quality of life.
“It is all about making the most out of life for as long as the patients have it,” said Hospis Malaysia general manager Tham Su Ming.
Hospis Malaysia attends to patients in their homes, especially when they are very ill. An important part of palliative care is also addressing the patient’s family’s concerns.
“When a patient is in hospital, the family tends to be more assured as there is a team of doctors and nurses looking after them.
Tabla player Raja Kumar has multiple myeloma, but he remains upbeat and tries to enjoy his time with his loved ones.
“But when they are discharged, most family members ask, ‘how can we cope?’,” said Tham, adding that this is when Hospis Malaysia offers their support services.
Hospis Malaysia provides free clinical services to its patients, which is largely funded by donations and contributions from the public and corporate sector.
Hospis Malaysia also runs a daycare centre for patients at its premises in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Hospis Malaysia’s operating expenses which includes the costs of medicine and medical equipments, training and education, staff remuneration and general administration is almost RM3mil a year.
Fortunately, this year, Hospis Malaysia is once again selected as one the beneficiaries of Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014.
“Every year, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon makes a conscious effort to help raise funds for Malaysian charities.
“The community effort is known as the Run For A Reason programme, where runners who pledge under the programme can choose charity partners they wish to support,” said Standard Chartered KL Marathon owner and organiser Dirigo Events Sdn Bhd’s co-founder Gloria Ng.
“This is the second year Hospis Malaysia is on board as charity partner and we decided to work with the organisation due to their commendable efforts in creating awareness and championing palliative care, a cause that may not be well established in the country as yet.
“We also hope the donations will help patients have quality lives despite their illnesses,” added Ng.
As the Standard Chartered KL Marathon coincides with the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on Oct 12, Hospis Malaysia will be using this opportunity to spread the awareness on palliative care and the work done by the people behind the organisation.
“Last year, at the Standard Chartered KL Marathon, we had volunteers carry placards on the facts and myths of palliative care.
“As this year’s theme features the work of palliative care workers, the volunteers will flash placards that show the importance of the work done by our team of doctors, nurses and volunteers,” said Tham, adding that volunteers play a crucial role at Hospis Malaysia.
Nurse Thow Meai Jiun learns what’s most important in life from her patients.
“The volunteers don’t get involved in the treatments for the patients but they provide support to patients and their families.
“Some volunteers may get more involved and committed to the cause, and some become full-time staff nurses,” said Tham.
Ng hopes the public could get more involved and support Hospis Malaysia’s work.
They can learn more about palliative care at Hospis Malaysia’s booth during the marathon at Dataran Merdeka next month.
Source: The Star