FMHS staff contributes to community projects

In order to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Malaysian government imposed the movement control order (MCO), conditional, extended and recovery movement control orders. This strategy was an attempt to minimise the spread of this serious and potentially fatal disease. However, this restriction of movement has significant negative effects for the older people in the long-term care facilities as they are unable to receive visitors, including well-wishers, social workers, and donors whom they rely on for social contact and material assistance. Simultaneously, regular donors faced difficulties in securing and sending food and other items of daily necessity to them. Furthermore, the older people and their caregivers were unable to go out to get their monthly supplies.  

Hence, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) research team of UTAR working on “Health Issues among the Marginalised and Elderly” started activities to fund and supply items requested by various homes within the Klang Valley during the period of movement restriction. Essential food and household items, sponsored teas and lunches amounting to several thousands of ringgits have been funded by members of the research team to help improve the situation in long-term care facilities, particularly those that have participated in the research activities initiated by the FMHS research team.   

The team, led by Prof Dr Yap Sook Fan, participated in several activities to provide support to homes in urgent need of assistance. The team members were Emeritus Prof Dr Boo Nem Yun, Assoc Prof Dr Thaw Zin, Assoc Prof Leong Pooi Pooi, Dr Nadia binti Mohamad Hatta, Liew Siew Fun, Woo Li Fong and Choo Peak Yean, along with the help from a social worker, Jenny Kok.

The services and help rendered were largely in terms of provision of daily necessities, foodstuff and general medications such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) pain killers, anti-pyrectics, cough mixtures and vitamin supplements. Other assistance includes sponsored pack lunches and snacks for afternoon teas in lieu of sponsored meals at restaurants due to the movement restriction.  On 13th of June 2020, essential daily items were purchased and sent to several homes including Grace Home, Klang; Rumah Darul Insyirah, Bangi; Pusat Jagaan dan Rawatan Orang Tua Al-Ikhlas, Puchong and House of Joy, Puchong.

Other donations included providing packed lunch to the elderly at Persatuan Kebajikan Kim Loo Teng and Sri Jayanthi Metta Care homes in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur on 19 July 2020. Aside from that, FMHS lecturers Woo made a monetary donation to some homes while Choo supported the Victory Home’s fund-raising events.

Furthermore, the research team answered calls from other homes which were not involved in the research and assisted the homes. On 19 September 2020, dried foodstuff was bought and distributed to two homes in Petaling Jaya namely, AiYiDe Old Folk Home (Pertubuhan Kebajikan Warga Emas Kenang Budi) and En Yuan Old Folk Home (Persatuan Kebajikan Orang Tua Bahagia).

Essential food and supplements were sent to Grace Home on 11 April 2020

Liew (second from left) and Woo (far left) sent food and household items to Al-Ikhlas Home on 13 June 2020

Choo (second photo, most right) sent food to Darul Insyirah Home on 13 June 2020

Delicious meals were also sent to Kim Loo Teng and Sri Jayanthi homes on 30 July 2020

Choo (far right) delivering the food supplies

As the incidence of Covid-19 infections increased, the conditional movement control order was reimposed in the third quarter of 2020. The caretakers of these homes, largely charity-funded, continued to face more financial difficulties and inadequate supplies. As such, the team continued their efforts to ease the situation by providing the elderly with goodies and food as well as psychological support.

Packed lunch, fruits, and dessert/tong sui to celebrate winter solstice festival

Folks from Sri Jayanthi Home with their goody bags and packed lunch

Photography session among elderly after receiving the food aid