YKN plans to set up 'Anjung Kasih' in every state - Rina Harun

SANDAKAN: The National Welfare Foundation (YKN) has proposed that every state has Anjung Kasih, temporary accommodation for the families of underprivileged patients.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Rina Harun said currently, the facility was not available in Kelantan and Terengganu.

Meanwhile, three Anjung Kasih have been fully operating in Sarawak, two each in Selangor, Pahang and Penang and one each in Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Perlis, Kedah, Melaka, Johor and Sabah.

"I welcome more corporate companies to lend a hand in providing the best social services by using social management modalities through corporate social responsibility in the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family).

"YKN's efforts to help the less fortunate and needy will surely succeed and have positive social and economic implications when supported by all parties, whether the government, private or corporate companies, non-governmental organisations or individuals."

She said this here today when officially opening the Kent Cottage Anjung Kasih at the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK), with its establishment costing RM1,003,500 fully sponsored by Petronas.

This facility is equipped with 60 beds, disabled-friendly toilets, surau, bathrooms, dining area, laundry room, pantry and lounge with no charge for the less fortunate.

Rina said that YKN would set up an Anjung Singgah in Sabah next year, a halfway house that would provide temporary accommodation and social and intervention services to the homeless who wished to change for the better.

She added that the mobile One-Stop Social Support Centre (PSSS) would be extended to Sabah next year to help individuals with psychosocial problems, especially those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the Kent Cottage Anjung Kasih could be utilised by the communities outside Sandakan, especially those in the interior who were referred to HDOK for specialist treatment.

"HDOK is a specialist hospital located in Sandakan, the second-largest city in Sabah, and the hospital's treatment services also cover the east coast of Sabah including Kinabatangan, Beluran and Telupid.

"An estimated 500 visitors visit patients every day at HDOK and 10 per cent of the visitors are from these (three) districts...most of them being from the low-income group (B40) and living in the rural areas," he said.

-- BERNAMA