Engkilo family gets hospital bed assistance

SIBU: A hospital bed may be a practical necessity, but for one family in Engkilo on the best bank, it offers relief as they prepare for their elderly mother’s return home.

The assistance was provided by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan’s Branch Chairman, Kevin Lau Kor Jie, who led his branch team on a house-to-house visit to 11 families in Engkilo on Saturday (Oct 10).

The visit provided practical assistance while giving the team an opportunity to hear directly from residents about their needs and circumstances.

Lau (stooping down) installs a hospital bed delivered at the elderly woman’s house.

Lau said the family had earlier approached Councillor Yong Ing Hock for help in obtaining a hospital bed for their elderly mother, who was still receiving treatment and expected to be discharged soon.

Recognising the importance of having suitable arrangements in place for her recovery, Lau and his team arranged for the bed to be delivered to the family’s home at Jalan Yew Chai Toh, with support from a donor.

He expressed his appreciation to the donor for extending a helping hand, saying the contribution would help the family prepare for the elderly woman’s return and ease some of the challenges of caring for her at home.

During their engagements with the 11 families, Lau and his team also listened to residents share their daily experiences, family circumstances and business activities, giving them a closer understanding of issues affecting the local community.

Lau described Engkilo as a close-knit neighbourhood where personal connections remain important, adding that meeting residents face-to-face allowed the team to better understand their circumstances rather than relying solely on reports or requests for assistance.

He also noted residents’ feedback that water supply pressure in the area had improved significantly, stressing the importance of continued improvements to basic amenities.

For Lau, who is also SUPP Youth Chief, community service extends beyond responding to immediate needs. It also involves maintaining regular contact with residents, listening to their concerns and ensuring assistance is directed towards genuine needs within the community.

He said such visits provide valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships with residents while giving the team a clearer picture of conditions on the ground.

Lau (centre) calls upon one of the families visited.