KUCHING: Renovation works to convert the former nurses’ quarters here into an Anjung Kasih facility are still pending formal approval from the Sarawak government and the Welfare Department.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the heritage building is being proposed as the site for the second phase of Anjung Kasih to accommodate families of patients undergoing treatment at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
(Anjung Kasih provides free temporary accommodation for families of patients at government hospitals.)
“In Kuching, actually Phase One is already at the Sarawak General Hospital. What needs to be understood is that Anjung Kasih is for families who are waiting while their loved ones are hospitalised,” she told reporters during Ziarah Kasih programme at Kampung Tabuan Lot today.
The proposed Phase Two project at the former nurses’ quarters will be renovated with the support of the Sarawak government and other partners.
She said Yayasan OBYU would assist in the development of the second phase, while Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (YKN) would help provide fittings and internal facilities once construction works are completed.
“We are still waiting for the letter from the Welfare Department in Sarawak and also from the state government.
Once they have completed the construction, Yayasan Kebajikan Negara will help to provide the fittings inside the building,” she added.
She explained that Anjung Kasih facilities are meant to provide temporary accommodation for family members who need to remain near hospitals while caring for relatives undergoing treatment.
“Some families have to wait for months, especially those with cancer patients. They stay there while accompanying their loved ones,” she said.
On the capacity of the Kuching facility, she said it has yet to be determined as renovation plans are still being finalised.
“At the moment, we cannot determine the capacity because the building has not been renovated yet. Once it is completed, we can see whether we can provide double-decker beds or single rooms. It can be designed similar to a hotel,” she added.
Nationwide, Nancy said there are currently 19 Anjung Kasih facilities located near major hospitals.
The ones in Malaya are mostly developed through collaborations involving corporate sponsors by companies such as TNB and Sunway under Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah.
She added that such facilities are especially important in Sabah and Sarawak, where many patients from rural areas need to commute far for treatment.
Nancy also said the government is exploring the possibility of establishing smaller Anjung Kasih facilities in rural areas to assist patients who travel for regular treatments such as dialysis.
