KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Sabah Branch has urged the state government to establish a dedicated halfway house for pediatric cancer patients and their families travelling from remote areas for long-term treatment.
MMA Sabah chairman Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang said there is a need for a safe, clean, and affordable accommodation facility near the hospital, noting that the existing Ronald McDonald House is at capacity due to serving multiple medical departments.
“Their parents, families and caregivers have to travel with them here, and often treatment takes up to months,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 13).
Sabah’s Paediatric Oncology Unit diagnoses 80 to 100 new childhood cancer cases annually, with nearly half involving families from distant districts like Pitas, Kota Marudu, and Kudat.
Many young patients face up to eight months of intensive treatment, particularly for conditions like acute leukaemia, forcing families to endure severe financial and logistical strains from prolonged travel and lodging.
Dr Brandon suggested the state government lead the initiative by converting an existing government property near the hospital or collaborating with private and charitable organisations.
The appeal was made following MMA Sabah’s visit to the Paediatric Oncology Unit at Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital in Likas, where the association distributed over 20 care kits to newly diagnosed patients in conjunction with Paediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
