Bazaar opening bells being rung by (from left) Dr Ng, Dr Lee and Yeoh.
Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (Mappac) held a successful bazaar to raise funds for children’s palliative care.
Malaysian Children’s Hospice Festival 2024 (MCHF2024) was held at Pusat Kreatif Kanak-kanak Tuanku Bainun in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
Proceeds from the second major fundraising event since Mappac’s inception in 2018 will cover hospice operations.
Mappac president and Hospital Tunku Azizah paediatric palliative care specialist Dr Lee Chee Chan pointed out that since the hospice service was set up, 540 home visits had been made in aid of 103 families.
About 80,000 Malaysian children currently needed palliative care, with most requiring daily intensive care from family members, according to Mappac’s press statement.
It said three children hospices have been set up to help affected family and children have good quality of life.
These centres required RM1mil in annual expenses, making public donations and sponsorship crucial, it added.
During the bazaar’s opening ceremony, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh expressed her admiration for Mappac for starting the hospices and ensuring their continuous growth in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Yeoh further pledged RM20,000 from her ministry and encouraged other organisations to emulate the association.
MCHF2024 had 80 stalls offering drinks, food, plants, vegetarian cuisine, homemade dishes, popcorn and baked items.
It also featured charity bazaars, silent auctions, children’s activity zones, fun workshops, and health and parenting seminars.
The bazaar drew about 1,500 visitors throughout the day while some 120 supportive volunteers helped with the various logistic requirements.
Also present at the event was MCHF2024 organising committee chairperson Dr Ng Su Fang.
