Latest news with #SEPEDAAmalBorneo2025
Daily Express
04-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
RM350,000 raised for Sabah's first children's hospice
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Lorena Binisol Text Size: 17 cyclists completed the charity ride. Kota Kinabalu: The SEPEDA Amal Borneo 2025 (SAB2025) charity cycling event, themed 'Pedal for Care, Ride for Hope', concluded at Hilton Hotel Kota Kinabalu as 17 cyclists completed a grueling 600-kilometre journey from Sandakan. The six-day ride aimed to raise funds and awareness for the establishment of Sabah's first children's hospice, under the care of the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (Mappac). The event successfully raised RM350,000, would help to finance the centre with various medical equipment and other facilities. Officiating the closing ceremony, Datuk James Ratib, Minister of Community Development and People's Well-being, praised the cyclists for their dedication and resilience. 'This ride is not just about endurance, it's about compassion and hope. You've helped shine a light on paediatric palliative care, a field that is often overlooked but essential to a holistic healthcare system,' he said. Currently, Sabah Women and Children's Hospital in Likas is the only facility offering paediatric palliative care in the state. The hospital has seen a steady rise in patient referrals, highlighting the urgent need for expanded services. Ratib urged the Ministry of Health to train more doctors and nurses in this specialty and called for stronger collaboration between the state government and relevant agencies to establish the hospice. He acknowledged the pressing gaps in both infrastructure and medical support across the state, particularly in paediatric care. Citing the surge in developmental and neurological conditions among children, Ratib drew attention to the rising number of autism cases in Sabah with over 5,200 diagnoses recorded as of 2024. Following a recent visit to a specialised autism centre hospital in Singapore, he gained invaluable insights into advanced care models and facility standards. Moved by the experience, he pursued the urgent need for similar, comprehensive support services in Sabah, not only for children with autism, but also for those battling life-threatening illnesses who deserve holistic and compassionate care. As part of his role in the health unit (health exco), he pledged to bring the matter to the state cabinet, proposing the allocation of land and funding for the construction of Sabah's first children's hospice in near future. 'I will propose to the Cabinet to allocate land for the hospice centre, and also to fund through the state government. Our children deserve to be cared for in the right place, with dignity and love,' he added. He affirmed that it is the government's responsibility to meet the healthcare needs of its people, especially vulnerable children. 'This isn't merely a proposal, it's a pressing need. It's our responsibility to ensure that children facing life-threatening illnesses are cared for in a place that offers love, compassion, and proper support. Our children deserve to receive care in a proper facility that upholds their dignity, provides comfort, and offers specialised medical support tailored to their needs,' he said. This year's proceeds will support Malaysian Children's Hospice (MCH) Kota Kinabalu, enabling them to provide free paediatric palliative care services, including home visits, pain management, psychosocial support, and family accompaniment programmes, ensuring that no child with life-limiting conditions faces their journey alone. Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang, the chairman of MMA Sabah said fundraising efforts would continue and he hoped more individuals would come forward to support the cause. Among the cyclists was Lee Lee from Kuala Lumpur, a cancer survivor who completed the ride with determination, driven by the hope of seeing the children's hospice become a reality. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
01-08-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
State Govt supports setting up Sabah's first children's hospice
Liew (third left) witnessing the presentation of a mock cheque for RM200,000 raised from a public collection and the fund-raising dinner, by the president of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Dato' Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira (fourth left) to the Vice-President of the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (MAPPAC), Dr Ng Su Fang. Looking on from right are Founder of Sepeda Amal Borneo cum Organising Chairman, Dr Timothy Cheng, President Elect of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Datuk Dr Thirukanavarasu Rajoo, eight-year-old cancer patient Ashton Jacob, MP for Bentong, Young Syefura Othman, and chairman of MMA Sabah Branch, Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang (left). KOTA KINABALU (Aug 1): The State Government supports the vision of the Malaysia Medical Association (MMA) and Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (MAPPAC) to establish the state's first children's hospice, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor. 'The State Government recognises the importance of palliative care for children. Addressing these challenges will be an important step in our ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare equity and uphold our commitment to people-centred development,' he said. The initiative by the MMA in collaboration with MAPPAC to raise funds and awareness to build the Children Hospice in Sabah through the SEPEDA Amal Borneo 2025, a cross-Borneo cycling campaign, is a noble effort, he said at the SEPEDA fund-raising dinner at the Hilton Hotel here today. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew delivered his speech. 'Children with serious and life-limiting illnesses deserve not only medical attention, but also dignity, comfort and a sense of peace – wherever they are, whether in hospital or at home. 'Their families need support, understanding, and the assurance that they are not walking this arduous journey alone. 'Nationwide, an estimated 80,000 children are in need of such care, and right here in Sabah, around 9,000 children live with life-limiting and non-curable illnesses. 'These young children and their families deserve not only medical care, but compassion, dignity and support throughout their journey,' he said. The Chief Minister noted that while progress has been made, access to specialised paediatric palliative care can still be limited in certain parts of Sabah, particularly in rural and interior areas. 'I was told that at the moment, paediatric palliative care is provided solely by a dedicated team at the Sabah Women's and Children's Hospital, Likas, since 2013. The unit receives more than 100 referrals a year and this number is increasing,' he said. In this regard, Hajiji lauded the dedication of the Ministry of Health for continuing to develop this service in Sabah as well as the MAPPAC for its efforts to bring free home-based palliative care services to communities across Sabah. He also congratulated the 17 cyclists from around the world for embarking on this challenging journey in the name of charity, having cycled from Sandakan one week ago and arrived in Kota Kinabalu yesterday. 'This cross-Borneo cycling campaign is not just a show of endurance; it is a journey of compassion and hope. By raising both funds and awareness for the establishment of the children's hospice in Kota Kinabalu, you are helping to build a lifeline for children and families in need,' he said. He said the MMA's leadership in this cause reflects a deep commitment to public service, extending beyond the clinic and the hospital, which is a testament to what the medical profession stands for. 'In this regard, I applaud the MMA's efforts and synergy in serving communities and in this regard, expanding resources to paediatric palliative care, complementing the government's role for a more inclusive and compassionate Sabah,' he said. 'The impact of your initiative will enrich the fabric of our society and significantly enhance the overall well-being of our communities. On behalf of the State Government of Sabah, I thank you for your exemplary efforts,' he said.
Borneo Post
01-08-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Prioritise children's palliative care, says Sabah Health Exco
James (centre) poses with the organiser and cyclists at Hilton Hotel. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 1): Paediatric palliative care must be prioritised as an integral part of the national healthcare system, said State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister, Datuk James Ratib. Speaking at the closing of the SEPEDA Amal Borneo 2025 event today, James highlighted the critical shortage of paediatric palliative care specialists in Malaysia — only six are currently serving under the Health Ministry, despite an estimated nine million children needing such care. 'In Sabah, these services are only available at the Sabah Women and Children's Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. Last year alone, more than 100 new paediatric palliative care cases were referred to the Likas unit,' he said during the event held at Hilton Hotel. James called on the Health Ministry to urgently address the shortage by training more specialists and increasing funding for the field. He also appealed for additional incentives to attract doctors to serve in Sabah. He emphasised the unique challenges faced by children in Sabah's remote areas, many of whom come from underprivileged communities and currently have little to no access to palliative services. 'I am especially supportive of MAPPAC's vision to build the first children's hospice in Sabah. Such a facility would ensure that care is delivered in a dedicated and well-equipped setting, regardless of the patient's background,' he said. James pledged his full support as the state's Health Exco to help make the hospice a reality and urged the Federal Government, through the Health Ministry, to collaborate and allocate necessary funds. 'This is my commitment to our children who are truly in need of our help,' he added. The SEPEDA Amal Borneo charity cycling event, organised by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), was aimed at raising awareness and funds for the hospice. The event saw 17 cyclists from across the globe complete a grueling six-day, 600-kilometre journey from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu, passing through Paitan, Kota Marudu, Ranau and Tambunan — with a total elevation of over 6,000 metres. 'I am deeply impressed by the commitment shown by the SEPEDA Amal Borneo participants, who come from various professions, backgrounds and nationalities,' James said. 'Your efforts have helped bring attention to an issue that truly matters.'
