Kota Kinabalu: The Pertubuhan Muafakat Titipan Amal Isteri Wakil Rakyat, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (Mutiara GRS), visited cancer patients at the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital (HWKKS) in Likas here as part of their Ziarah Amal charity programme.
Mutiara GRS President Datuk Juliah Salag said the programme aimed to bring joy to children battling cancer during the holy month of Ramadan and in the lead-up to Aidilfitri.
“This morning, Mutiara GRS visited Likas Hospital to meet young children suffering from cancer.
It is heartbreaking to see these children, who should be at school or at home, instead having to undergo treatment in hospital.
“They undergo treatments such as chemotherapy daily, and we hope that our contributions will help ease the sorrow of parents affected by their children’s illness.
“We are grateful to the hospital management for their dedication in caring for these patients, and we hope that this small contribution can bring some cheer to the children during Ramadan and ahead of Aidilfitri,” she told the media after the Ziarah Amal programme.
Juliah also reaffirmed Mutiara GRS’ commitment to ongoing charitable activities in collaboration with various organisations, particularly in raising funds for cancer patients.
“We strive to help in any way we can. For example, in May, we will be working with cancer organisations such as Pink Ribbon to raise funds for the purchase of a machine for cancer patients,” she explained.
During the programme, Juliah also distributed food aid packages and duit raya (festive cash gifts) to hospitalised children and donated 11 wheelchairs to HWKKS.
Meanwhile, HWKKS Director Dr Yogendra A/L Panchalingam expressed his gratitude to Mutiara GRS for the donation of wheelchairs and their visit to Ward 4 to meet the patients.
“The hospital greatly appreciates this contribution, as it will help improve our facilities and ease the financial burden on patients and their families,” he said.
A total of 16 child cancer patients – 10 boys and six girls – at the HWKKS Likas Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy Centre were visited during the programme.