Over RM65,000 raised for proposed diabetes centre in Miri

MIRI: The dinner hosted by Diabetes Malaysia Miri ( DMM) recently raised more than RM65,000, which would go for the proposed one- stop diabetes centre project.

DMM chairwoman Ting Chiew Moi said among the donors were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian who presented RM10,000 in government grant for the project and also the family members of the late Hii Chang Tin.

“We thank everyone involved in making the event a success. I hope that the public would continue to support us in carrying out various awareness programmes on diabetes, and also our vision to have a one-stop diabetes centre in Miri,” she said.

Chiew Moi received cheques for RM15,000 as pledged by Dr Sim and the Hii family at the fundraising dinner.

Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting represented Dr

We thank everyone involved in making the event a success. I hope that the public would continue to support us in carrying out various awareness programmes on diabetes, and also our vision to have a one-stop diabetes centre in Miri. Ting Chiew Moi, Diabetes Malaysia Miri chairwoman

Sim in handing over the grant, witnessed by several DMM executive committee members including physician Datuk Dr Fam Tem Lom, who jointly managed the fundraising for the proposed diabetes centre.

Dr Fam said DMM would need at least RM5 million to set up the centre, slated for delivering multidisciplinary services to diabetic patients in this northern part of the state, especially this city.

“The RM5 million is just the initial amount for building the proposed three- storey centre – about the size of five shophouses. An additional RM2 million, at least, is required for setting up the facilities there,” he said.

Dr Fam said to expedite the project, the DMM might resort to purchasing shoplots and as a long-term measure, establishing the centre on a one- acre land where the facilities could be centralised.

The objectives of the proposed centre are to reduce the clinical burden of government hospitals and polyclinics, to provide free diagnostic services to Mirians using current diagnostic facilities and technology, to serve as a centre to manage diabetes mellitus thus, reduce mortality rates and any disability arising from uncontrolled complications.