Damai Wellness Centre timely as Sabahans live longer now
KOTA KINABALU: More medical institutions rendering assisted living services should be established as more people are crossing the golden mile age in Sabah, said Health and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt.
Wong said the 2018 statistics for the state indicated that Sabahans have longer life expectancy, with men reaching up to an average age of 74 years and women, 77.6 years.
“While this is definitely good news for us, it also triggers several changes in our community. For example, with an increasingly aging population, there will be higher demand for health and social services,” said Wong at the launch of the Damai Wellness Centre in Luyang yesterday.
“The healthcare industry will see bigger emphasis on geriatrics, encompassing the study of health and disease in later life, and the comprehensive healthcare of older persons and the wellbeing of their informal caregivers. Therefore, as Sabah continues to grow economically and socially, there is a need to have sustainable and reliable support network for our elderly. This fundamental needs can be provided not only by family members, but also by professional centres such as Damai Wellness Centre,” he added.
Wong described Damai Wellness Centre and KPJ Healthcare Berhad's initiative to offer complementary healthcare services to the people of Sabah, especially in terms of assisted living services, as timely.
“I am delighted, therefore, to learn that Damai Wellness Centre's innovative and holistic approach can help alleviate the difficulties of the public in accessing professional home care services for the elderly,” he said.
“Its assisted living program opens doors for residents to continue living actively while contributing to our community. This is what motivates me to personally support this complementary service to the existing local healthcare system,” he added.
The Damai Wellness Centre, formerly known as the KPJ Damai Specialist Hospital, is the fourth within the KPJ Group to offer assisted living care facilities after Sibu Love Care Centre in Sarawak, Tawakkal Health Centre in Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan Wellness Centre in Pahang.
The centre aims to provide assisted living care facilities to serve families in Sabah who require a professional support network to help care for the elderly members so that they can live fulfilling lives in good health.
Amongst the diseases faced by the people in their golden age are cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, loss of vision, hearing and Alzheimer disease.
According to Damai Wellness Centre chairman Ahmad Nasirruddin Harun, the centre provides services such as personal care/assistance with daily activities such as personal hygiene and medication management whilst ensuring residents retain their independence.
The centre also provides a common living area for social activity, entertainments and wellness.