(From left) Dr Faizul Nizam, Ikatan chief executive officer Elize Lee and Lam Thye at the school’s soft launch at Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras.
A TOTAL of 56 pupils have benefitted from the “School Within A Hospital” programme that aims to help children undergoing medical treatment, continue their studies.
The programme is a collaboration between Alliance For A Safe Community (Ikatan) and Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras (HRC), with help from Kuala Lumpur Education Department and the Health Department of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Ikatan chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said children who were hospitalised should not be deprived of education even if they were unable to attend school.
“This initiative aims to create a supportive educational environment for paediatric patients, enhancing their educational experience and overall well-being during their hospital stay.
“We have donated RM51,000 worth of school items comprising tables and chairs catered specifically for the children both at primary and secondary levels.
“We also donated tablets for the online-based learning,” he told StarMetro.
The school, which is located in the Paediatric Rehabilitation Ward of HRC, commenced classes on Sept 2, 2024.
It has two classrooms, one each for primary and secondary classes.
Speaking at the soft launch of the school, Lam Thye said integrating educational services into the hospital setting could address the unique needs of children undergoing treatment and provide them with continuity in their education.
“This will ensure that children in hospital can continue their education without significant disruption,” he said, adding that it would also help improve patients’ emotional well-being.
“Holistic development plays a role here in addressing both the educational and personal needs of paediatric patients, fostering a more comprehensive approach to their recovery.
“The ‘School Within A Hospital’ will contribute to a positive hospital experience for patients and families, making the environment more supportive and less intimidating,” he added.HRC director Dr Faizul Nizam Abu Salim thanked Ikatan for adopting the school to ensure that it functioned well and benefitted patients.
“We are a rehabilitation hospital and some of these children have been visiting us for over 11 years.
“There are children with amputated legs who come for rehabilitation when they need to change their prosthetic limbs.
“They spend some time at the centre and they will benefit from the school as they no longer have to miss out on their studies.
“The children at the school also love online interactive learning.
“The teachers sent by Education Ministry are highly skilful and they are great engaging with these students,” he said when contacted by StarMetro.
Dr Faizul Nizam said Ikatan would work closely with HRC to monitor the programme’s adaptability to each patient’s needs.
“HRC will implement a system for regular evaluation of the programme’s effectiveness, including feedback from patients, families and hospital staff, and we will use this data to provide continuous improvements,” he added.
