Free stay for family of patients

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Family members accompanying patients at the Selayang Hospital near here, need not worry about seeking accommodation for themselves.
Since last month, the hospital has been providing free accommodation for such family members at its Anjung Kasih, which has 18 rooms, a surau, a rest area and washrooms, including a toilet for the disabled.
Priority is given to visitors from outside Kuala Lumpur and Selangor who are caring for the very sick and cannot afford decent accommodation elsewhere.
However, they have to make a refundable deposit of RM50 for the use of the facility.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the facility is currently just available at the Selayang Hospital.
However, he added, it would also be extended to other major hospitals like Hospital Kuala Lumpur and general hospitals in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Sabah.
Since it started last month, 43 families of patients warded at the Selayang Hospital had used its facilities, he told reporters after opening the Anjung Kasih (Caring Pavilion) yesterday.
Also present was Family, Women and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who also chairs the board of trustees of the National Welfare Foundation (YKN).
The two ministers also jointly opened the one-stop MeKar-YKN child and youth mental health clinic, which provides wards, clinical services, therapy and day-care services.
Dr Chua said an increasing number of children and teenagers are seeking psychiatric help at the Selayang Hospital.
A total of 1,079 patients were recorded last year compared with just 285 in 2002.

“Often, parents do not understand their condition,” Dr Chua said. “Sometimes they think their children are disobedient and have difficulty relating to their siblings, going to school or speaking.
“This is where the one-stop-centre can provide counselling for the family.”
He said the MeKar-YKN centre caters for children from two to 17 years who suffer from autism, refusal to go to school, conduct disorder, depressive disorder, attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia.