Sibu Parkinson’s Society receives RM10,000 MRP grant from Masing
KAPIT: Sibu Parkinson’s Society has received a Minor Rural Project ( MRP) grant worth RM10,000 from Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing.
A simple presentation ceremony was held in Sibu recently, where businessman and Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) Baleh Division member Ling Hang Kee represented Masing – who is also PRS president – to hand over the grant to Sibu Parkinson’s Society chairman Wong Meng Chuo.
Meng Chuo, on behalf of the society, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Masing for the support, adding that the society would make full use of the grant.
“We’re very fortunate that we have many healthcare professionals and social workers willing to lend us a helping hand in organising activities. In truth, the society is purely operating on a non-profit basis – we do not generate income on our own. The majority of our members are pensioners, like myself.
“In this regard, we are thankful to Tan Sri ( Masing) for his invaluable contribution, and also to Ling Hang Kee who highlighted our plight to the deputy chief minister,” Meng Chuo said.
He also hoped that more people’s elected representatives would come to assist the society.
“Our call is also on the corporate bodies and individuals with the means to help the society. With sufficient funding, we can do more for those suffering from Sibu Parkinson’s disease here – they really need our support and consultation,” he said.
The handover was witnessed by other representatives from the society such as its vice- chairman Song Hua Hung, secretary Joachim Ling, treasurer Ling Mei Ling, as well as committee members Ling Kuok Seng, Dr Jee Rou Chen who is a neurologist, Dr Ngieng Seng Harny who is a Chinese traditional medicine practitioner, Lee Yan Sen, Andy Wong, Andy Ting and Kong Swee Fen.
Meng Chuo served as a pastor at the Methodist Mission Kapit branch for many years before he retired. It was later after retirement that he discovered that he had Parkinson’s.
However, his condition did not discourage him; instead, it gave him the determination to help others like him and thus, the Sibu Parkinson’s Society was officially registered in November 2015.
Its objectives are to help register those suffering from Parkinson’s disease with the hospital, to strive for Parkinson’s patients to obtain better care, and to provide care and consultation services to patients through the engagement of volunteers comprising medical specialists and healthcare personnel.
According to Song – a lecturer at ITA Sibu College of Health Science – the society has a lineup of regular activities such as bimonthly health talks and free consultation by guest neurologist, daily physiotherapy sessions for patients, the ‘ tai chi exercise and water therapy’ at Delta Pool, holding visits to provide its members with support, periodical examinations and counselling at Sibu Hospital and also the divisional Welfare Department, as well as provision of tokens and allowances to the needy.
At present, the society has more than 120 registered members here and in Sibu.