Hospices struggle as donors tighten purse strings in post-pandemic era

GEORGE TOWN – Charitable organisations continue to struggle in the post-pandemic era even though the economy has largely returned to functioning health for more than two years. 

Donations to caregivers such as the Penang Hospice Society have not returned to pre-Covid-19 levels and despite input from welfare authorities, it remains an uphill task to secure adequate funding to care for the elderly and others in the palliative stage. 

Malaysian Hospice Council advisor Datuk Seri Dr T. Devaraj said that the annual operating budget for the Penang Hospice Society here is RM1.5 million this year. 

The government provides only 20% of the funding, Devaraj pointed out. Charitable bodies must depend on the largesse of corporations and the public in the main.

All caregiver organisations are facing a similar challenge to remain operational, he stressed. 

Devaraj called for more collaborations between the private sector and welfare bodies to raise funds for the care of elderly Malaysians as the country edges closer towards an ageing society. He also highlighted that donors stand to gain tax exemptions even as they fulfil their corporate social responsibility goals. 

Devaraj, who is also the chief executive officer and medical officer of the Penang Hospice, said that the care for the elderly and those classified under palliative care is expected to rise significantly soon. 

It is projected that by 2030, 14% of the Malaysian population will comprise those aged 65 and above.  

An increase in the aged population will see a sharp spike in costs of elderly care costs,  apart from the moral responsibilities placed on families and the community. 

Devaraj called on senior Malaysians to prepare for old age by learning how to slow down ailments and grow old gracefully. Hospice care providers can provide useful tips, he said. 

In this context, Devaraj thanked the Ascott Gurney Hotel here for taking the initiative to raise funds for the hospice services here. 

The Penang Hospice Society was registered in 2001 and it functions as a charitable non-governmental organisation in the community.  

It provides holistic medical care in the homes of patients with advanced diseases – mainly cancer – along with some non-cancer patients. No charges are levied for visits and loans of medical equipment for the needy. 

Currently, the society is short of RM2 million for its plans to raise a new building. 

From 2010 to 2022, it has helped over 11,800 patients and their families, said Devaraj. At the moment, it is treating around 220 patients. 

Fundraising with art

Devaraj also thanked the Ascott Gurney Hotel for raising funds for hospice services here. The hotel opened its doors to art enthusiasts as it launched the first Art Soiree at its property. The soiree was a feast for the senses, featuring a dazzling spectrum of artworks. 

The painting collection is a meticulously curated selection from in-residence programmes and local collaborations that depict Penang destinations. 

In a collaborative exhibition with Ooi Viv, the founder of Art Therapy Academy, Ascott showcases the brushstrokes of local painters that capture Penang’s renowned sites and the island’s brand of hospitality.  

The property’s general manager Sharon Ang said that – along with Viv’s oils – the outstanding works of art at the soiree are for sale, with 50% of the earnings going to the Penang Hospice Society,

“On behalf of Ascott Gurney, we believe that we can have a greater positive influence on communities. We want to create resilient, thriving communities where we operate that are rooted in strong community support and cultural legacy,” she said. – The Vibes, August 21, 2023