Dr Doris presents the project appointment letter to Richard (right), witnessed by Lee (second left) and Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong.
MIRI (Dec 18): The Miri Palliative Care Association (PCAM) has taken a major step towards enhancing end-of-life care in the city with the announcement of an open tender for earthworks for a new palliative care centre, which will become Miri’s first permanent hospice.
The announcement was made during a press conference at PCAM’s current premises in Taman Piasau here on Wednesday by Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who is also the association’s patron.
Lee said the development of the new centre underscores the Sarawak government’s and the Miri community’s long-standing commitment to ensuring terminally ill patients receive compassionate, dignified and holistic care.
“I still remember in January 2006 when the first Palliative Day Care Centre opened at Miri Hospital. From a small room, this service has now touched thousands of lives,” he said.
PCAM, officially registered in 2008, acquired its own premises in 2016 and is now moving into a new phase with the construction of a permanent hospice.
Lee noted that the Sarawak government allocated the land in August 2020 and will continue supporting the project, alongside his personal commitment to help PCAM reach its RM5 million fundraising target.
PCAM chairperson Dr Doris Jong traced the origins of palliative care in Miri to October 2005, when care was first provided to terminally ill patients at home.
She said the new single-storey hospice will expand free home-care services, enhance bereavement counselling, strengthen collaboration with Miri Hospital, and provide training for healthcare professionals and volunteers throughout northern Sarawak.
The estimated cost for land filling, infrastructure works, and construction is RM5 million.
Dr Doris expressed gratitude to the Sarawak government, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and community leaders, particularly Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, for their ongoing support.
She also urged the public to contribute expertise, time, or funds to help realise the project, emphasising that palliative care focuses on enhancing quality of life in patients’ final days.
At the same event, PCAM member Richard Wong was appointed project manager for the land development and construction of the new palliative care centre.
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