IMAGINE growing old, discovering and developing new illnesses within your body that could prove to be fatal, and then departing earthly life without the care of your loved ones.
Despite living in a world that is evolving faster than we could imagine, the discussion and importance of end-of-life care should not be neglected but prioritised.
Forty to fifty years ago, it was often said that parents from that era successfully raised and provided care for even a dozen children, but some if not all children these days, are unable to do the same for their parents.
Of course, times have changed and family and work commitments these days have taken a major shift compared to how it was in the yesteryears.
That is why charitable organisations like the Pure Lotus Hospice of Compassion play a vital role in protecting and providing a platform for end-of-life patients to depart gracefully when the time arrives.
Its founder and chairman Venerable Lyan Shih, 84, remains steadfast in her mission to ensure her patients at the facility receive the best care and comfort before returning to God for eternal rest will remain strong forever.
“Our admissions are usually patients who are poor and immediate family members who have no time to care for their sick and dying elderlies at home.
“On top of this, our referrals are mainly from the Penang Hospital, and it has made it a lot easier as we are located just next door.
“For those who have no care from their loved ones, it is really unfortunate to witness them depart like this.
“In the past, we have even assisted deceased patients with all the necessary funeral arrangements and so on.
“I have always been a strong advocate for peaceful death, and it reflects greatly on my mission here, which is to ensure people depart peacefully when it is time for them to go,” Ven Lyan Shih told Buletin Mutiara during an exclusive interview at the Pure Lotus Hospice of Compassion main office at Jalan Utama in George Town today.
Ven Lyan Shih, a former nurse herself, went on to become a tutor for other nurses.
Later, she discovered her calling and reflected deeply on her purpose in life. This introspection led her to provide care and comfort for end-of-life patients.
Having been established in 2001 by Ven Lyan Shih and her group of friends through the formation of a committee in a rented building at Wright Road in Pulau Tikus, the hospice moved into the current six-storey building in 2019.
It is learned that the hospice goes through stringent checks by the relevant authorities and its licence needs to be renewed once every two years since it is a legally registered body under the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, Dr Loo Chia Ming, 34, who is based at the hospice, said that the facility can accommodate up to 21 patients and that there are currently 19 patients admitted.
“Our demand is high and when sometimes people ask if there is space and if they can get their sick relatives to be admitted, with heavy hearts, we tell them it is only possible if we have existing patients who breathed their last.
“This is a very difficult situation, but priority is given to those truly eligible only,” Dr Loo said.
In a related development, Ven Lyan Shih said that the hospice has acquired land just next to the current building for the construction of a new three-storey building to house patients with illnesses apart from cancer.
“We are currently waiting for approval to build from the state government,” she said.
Ven Lyan Shih was all praise for generous donors who have consistently played a role in making sure the hospice operates without fail.
It is learned that the current monthly expenditure at the hospice stands at RM120,000 a month, which includes food, medical supplies, bills, and other important expenses.
Also present during the interview were the hospice ambassadors, Datin Joyce Teoh, Alice Wong, and Cindy Wong.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting