50% terminally ill die at PCA centre
More than 50% of terminally ill pa ents under the care of Pallia ve Care Associa on (PCA) die at its centre, and the associa on needs a larger space to cater for more pa ents and training.
KOTA KINABALU: The Palliative Care Association (PCA) needs a larger space to cater for more patients and to hold its activities and training.
The association needs about two acres of land for its daycare and training centre, said PCA president Morna Chua at the annual PCA charity dinner and show last night.
She added that their present site was inadequate to cater for their growing number of patients and equipment.
“We anticipate more patients in the future,” she said.
In her speech, Morna also said that they now had five full-time nurses, a doctor and administrative staff.
She also said that most of the patients suffering from terminal illnesses preferred to stay at home during the remaining days of their life.
And more than 50 percent of their patients do die at home, she said.
“We empower the carers of the patients to look after them,” she added.
Thanking all the donors for their assistance, Morna said the cost of the medical equipment delivered to the homes of palliative care patients had risen due to the lower ringgit exchange rate and tax.
She said that nationwide, about 56,000 people would need palliative care but only 10 percent would have access to it.
Also present at the event were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Haji Noor and Special Task Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang.