Kepong Hospice In Need Of Monetary Assistance After Entire Home Tests COVID-19 Positive
They have been struggling with finances since the pandemic began.
By May Vin Ang — 20 Aug 2021, 02:43 PM
A nursing home in Kuala Lumpur is in urgent need of donations after all of its staff and residents tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month
Located in Jinjang Utara, Kepong, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Amal Warga Emas Sejati Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor, also known as Fu Pin Handicap Centre, takes care of chronically ill elderly patients who are disabled or paralysed, and have no family members to look after them.
According to their website, the centre is a non-profit organisation that offers their services for free and depends on public assistance and donations to stay afloat.
The staff carries out nursing and basic medical care for its mostly bedbound residents — maintaining their hygiene, cleaning bed sores, and feeding them individually — even through the night.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, they have been struggling with finances and have been overwhelmed by referrals from public hospitals.
The centre director, Tan, told Malaysiakini in an interview that they spend about RM20,000 a month to operate.
The centre went under more stress recently when a new patient was admitted to the home and passed away after testing positive for COVID-19
Within a week, the entire home — which includes Tan, four staff, and nine patients — began to experience symptoms and also tested positive for the virus.
Despite feeling unwell themselves, the staff quarantined themselves at the centre and continued to take care of their bedridden patients.
"Even though there was discomfort, we couldn't stop. Care for the patients had to continue. The more severe ones among us were allowed to rest but the others took turns looking after the patients. We were only able to get two hours sleep at a time," they shared on Facebook on 5 August.
Speaking to SAYS, the centre said all of their staff have safely completed quarantine while three residents are still in the hospital today, 20 August
Although the staff are back on their feet, the nursing home said they still need funds and medical supplies to look after more patients.
The list of things they need include: disposable gloves, disposable pads, diapers, personal protective equipment, Dettol liquid and spray disinfectant, and Vitamin C pills.
They also need monetary assitance for patient treatment and follow-ups at the hospital. As patients are mostly bedridden, they said ambulance pick-up is also expensive.
Other uses for funds would be for utilities, wages, and rental.
Monetary contributions can be transferred to:
Pertubuhan Kebajikan Amal Warga Emas Sejati Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor
8881041941687 (AmBank)
After transfer, forward your bank receipt to [email protected].
You can also contribute medical supplies to:
2, Jalan 1/16E, Taman Nanyang,
Jinjang Utara 52000, Kuala Lumpur.
Contact
+6014-9683909 (Tan)
Find out more about the centre on their website and Facebook page.
