Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Sabah is urging the state government to establish a dedicated halfway house for children undergoing cancer treatment, accompanied by their caregivers, in Kota Kinabalu.
He said this was to serve those from rural and remote districts who faced prolonged stays in the state capital.
MMA Sabah chairman Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang said such a facility was urgently needed as the Paediatric Oncology Unit at Sabah Women and Children Hospital recorded 80 to 100 new childhood cancer cases annually, with nearly half involving patients from outside Kota Kinabalu.
He said many of the children came from distant districts, including Pitas, Kota Marudu and Kudat, while a large proportion were diagnosed with acute leukaemia, requiring intensive treatment that could last up to eight months.
“For families living several hours away, the challenge is not limited to the illness itself.
“They must also find accommodation, bear transportation and daily living costs and in many cases, leave behind employment and other family members for extended periods.
“I believe this is an area where Sabah government can and should take the lead.
“These are Sabah children and many of the families affected come from our most distant and underserved districts,” he said in a statement, as reported by Bernama.
Dr Brandon said the situation placed an enormous burden on families, particularly those from rural communities and lower-income households, making affordable accommodation near the hospital essential.
He said although the existing Ronald McDonald House provided valuable accommodation assistance, its capacity was insufficient to accommodate all paediatric oncology families requiring long-term stays, as it also served patients from other medical departments, including adult oncology.
Dr Brandon said the halfway house could be established by providing or converting existing government property near the hospital, or through collaboration with charitable organisations, the private sector and other partners.
He said having a dedicated facility would reduce unnecessary travel, ease the financial burden on families and help ensure the affected children could complete their treatment.
Meanwhile in conjunction with Paediatric Cancer Awareness Month, MMA Sabah donated care kits to the Paediatric Oncology Unit at Sabah Women and Children Hospital for newly diagnosed childhood cancer patients.
