Need for sustainable care network for the elderly
Published on: Friday, March 01, 2019
By: Larry Ralon
KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans have a longer life expectancy now, with men reaching up to an average of 74 years and up to 77.6 for women, according to last year’s statistics.
Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Stephen Wong said while this is definitely good news for the people of Sabah, it also triggers several changes in the community, as with an increasing ageing population there will be higher demand for health and social services.
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The healthcare industry will see a 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, he said.
“As Sabah continues to grow economically and socially, there is a need for a sustainable and reliable support network for our elderly. This fundamental need can be provided not only by family members but also by professional centres such as Damai Wellness Centre,” he said when officially opening Damai Wellness Centre (at previously KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital building) at Damai, here, Thursday.
Congratulating KPJ Healthcare Berhad for the great initiative to offer complementary healthcare services to the people of Sabah especially in terms of assisted living services, Wong said the timely initiative will support the elderly members of the State population, as well as residents who, due to medical reasons, are in need of support to undergo day to day activities.
“I am delighted to learn that Damai Wellness Centre’s innovative and holistic approach can help to alleviate the difficulties of the public in accessing professional home care services for the elderly. Its Assisted Living programme opens up 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 said.
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In addition to the focus on elderly care, he was also pleased that the establishment also provides services at the other end of the spectrum, namely, at the beginning of life, as well as physiotherapy and rehabilitation services.
Reiterating his support for all initiatives aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of the people, he was confident that many Sabahans will now rejoice that there is now a Wellness Centre here that offers these services.
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Wong also hoped that KPJ will continue to maintain and perhaps expand its presence in Sabah to other major towns like Sandakan and so on in the very near future.
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