Patients financially burdened, says NGO
Published on: Tuesday, November 18, 2014
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KOTA BELUD: A NGO here urged leaders to come forward and help patients with chronic diseases, the elderly, bedridden and disabled so that such group could receive the attention that they are craving for. Chairman of Persatuan Bakti Kadamaian, Dr Joshua Giling who makes visits to such patients here recently found that financial resources has become the main reason chronic patients are unable to meet a scheduled appointment to the nearest hospital."Most of them complained that they can't get further examination due to financial factors.
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The average patient has no source of income because they can't work, old and don't get the necessary help needed," he said.Dr Joshua who is also a medical officer of a government hospital also visited disabled patients (OKU) who were not given any aid, and stay together with siblings and an elderly man who had lost anyone to depend on."Buhu Tongkisus, 40, told us that Eldy Timbun, 6, was bedridden since he was a baby. Eldy did not grow up normally and has a large head. The single mother can't work because the patient needs intensive care.
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"After a medical examination, I discovered that hydrocephalus condition suffered by Eldy is relatively stable but very malnourished. His hygene is poor because her mother could not buy disposable diapers, extra food and other necessities."Therefore, Bakti Kadamaian pleads for concerns from the authorities that the family could be visited by the Kota Belud Welfare Department so that long-term welfare management could be arranged," he said.
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According to him, community leaders, especially political leaders need to take swift action on the approval process for welfare of the disabled, the elderly who lived alone, single mothers and other needy group."Maybe because they have been overlooked or the patient has been forgotten from attention of political leaders here, who was supposed to be the main defender of their lives," he said.Dr Joshua, who is also the founder of Kadamaian Bakti said at least local political leaders here could give help to patients with chronic diseases by having their applications for aid approved as soon as possible and provide regular transportation assistance to the government hospital nearby at their date of appointment three or four times a year. "Welfare assistance must strictly be adhered to by the government because the need by many in the Kadamaian area is so troubling that chronic patients forced to surrender to fate because of financial dificulties. "The welfare of the people in rural areas should be considered due to poor health preventing them looking for sources of revenue resulting in poverty," he said.Said Dr Joshua, Bakti Kadamaian always ready to cooperate with the government to defend the people and play the necessary roles to tackle the situation. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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