Abang Johari (fourth left) accompanied by Nancy (second left) and others tour the facility during the official opening ceremony.
BINTULU (Aug 3): Families accompanying loved ones for treatment at Bintulu Hospital can now stay free of charge at a new accommodation facility following the opening of Anjung Kasih Bintulu Hospital on Monday.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister and National Welfare Foundation (YKN) Board of Trustees chairwoman Dato Sri Nancy Shukri said the facility was the 20th Anjung Kasih established by YKN at government hospitals nationwide.
She said the project was made possible through a strategic partnership between YKN and Yayasan Bintulu Port, with Bintulu Port Holdings providing RM1.9 million in full sponsorship.
“The sponsorship enabled an old nurses’ quarters building to be upgraded into a more comfortable and conducive accommodation facility for patients’ relatives and families,” she said at the opening ceremony here.
The ceremony was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Nancy said the facility comprises 25 rooms, including one designed for persons with disabilities (OKU), with a total capacity of up to 75 occupants.
It is also equipped with a living room, counselling room, activity area, pantry, surau, washing area, toilets and other basic amenities.
“All these facilities are provided free of charge,” she said.
Nancy said the Anjung Kasih initiative, introduced in 2006, had benefited 132,535 patients’ relatives nationwide as of June this year.
She said the initiative reflected YKN’s continued commitment to ensuring families accompanying their loved ones for treatment at government hospitals had access to proper accommodation.
In Sarawak, four Anjung Kasih facilities have now been established, namely at Hospital Umum Sarawak, Hospital Miri, Hospital Sibu and the newly opened facility at Bintulu Hospital.
Calling for greater collaboration, Nancy urged government-linked companies (GLCs), private firms, corporate foundations and other organisations to partner with YKN to expand welfare initiatives such as Anjung Kasih.
Nancy also expressed appreciation to Sarawak State secretary and Bintulu Port Holdings chairman Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Bintulu Port Holdings chief executive officer Dato’ Ruslan Abdul Ghani and staff of the company for their commitment towards the initiative.
She also thanked Bintulu Hospital director Dr Suzalinna Sulaiman and the hospital staff for their cooperation in bringing the project to fruition.
She expressed hope that the facility would continue to ease the burden of patients’ families while encouraging more strategic partnerships to strengthen the country’s welfare agenda.