Sabah medical association urges transit housing for pediatric cancer patients

Sabah records between 80 and 100 new cases of childhood cancer annually, according to the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Sabah Branch. Nearly half of these patients reside outside the Kota Kinabalu district, often traveling from remote areas such as Pitas, Kota Marudu, and Kudat to access specialized care.

Dr. Brandon Patrick Senagang, Chairman of MMA Sabah, highlighted that many children, particularly those diagnosed with acute leukemia, require intensive treatment lasting up to eight months at the Pediatric Oncology Unit of the Sabah Women and Children's Hospital. This long-term treatment creates significant financial and logistical burdens for families, who must manage accommodation, transportation, and daily expenses while often leaving behind jobs and other family members.

To address these challenges, the MMA Sabah has proposed that the state government provide dedicated transit housing or temporary accommodation facilities near the hospital. While facilities like the Ronald McDonald House exist, Dr. Senagang noted that their capacity is shared with other services, such as adult oncology, and cannot fully meet the needs of all pediatric cancer patients. He suggested the government could repurpose existing state properties or collaborate with the private sector and welfare organizations to establish safe, clean, and affordable housing for these families.