Urgent attention needed by hospital bed recipient
15 October 2024
By AVV
PENAMPANG: The Penampang Parliament office presented a stroke victim Bertha Jumi, 67, of Kampung Divato with a hospital bed.
This thoughtful gesture was extended to the recipient by the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), Deputy President Datuk Donald Mojuntin, who was accompanied by Bryan Matasing the Penampang Parliament Liaison Officer.
Bertha expressed her gratitude to the MP Office and UPKO for the generous contribution as having a hospital bed at home provides numerous benefits, especially with her medical conditions and her mobility challenges.
A widow since 2019, Bertha has faced significant health struggles, beginning with her stroke in 2020. During her hospital stay, she experienced the isolation that came with the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when visitor restrictions meant she had to navigate her recovery alone. Despite the challenges, Bertha demonstrated remarkable resilience and managed to pull through her initial health crisis.
However, her journey took another difficult turn when she suffered a serious fall that resulted in a broken leg. The medical team inserted a steel rod to stabilise her leg, allowing her to regain some mobility. While she is not able to walk long distances, she can manage to make her way to the kitchen to prepare simple meals. Most of the time, though, she relies on her son to assist her with cooking and other daily tasks.
Having a hospital bed at home would greatly enhance Bertha's comfort as she continues her recovery. She shared that the adjustable features of the hospital bed will allow her to find a comfortable position for resting and sleeping, while also making it easier for her to get in and out of bed.
The wooden house she lives in however is not safe due to its condition as the plank floor is rotting. Another unfortunate event occurred when a Bambangan tree (M. Pajang) was uprooted and fell on her house. Fortunately, the damage by the tree was only on the front.
Donald expressed his concern about the many individuals in need within Penampang, noting the challenges faced by members of the community.
“It’s disheartening to see so many people struggling,” he said.
“I’m grateful that we can provide essential items like beds and wheelchairs. It’s truly rewarding to be able to help in any way we can. We will continue to assist those in need, without any conditions. As long as there is a need, we will do our utmost to meet it.”
About Bertha’s house condition, he said he was standing there for almost half and hour and noticed that it will not be habitable soon as the more it is affected by the weather condition the more it will deteriorate.
“I believe that families living in such houses are fully qualified for the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) project for free housing. However, I would like to raise a crucial point regarding certain areas in Penampang that are prone to flooding. If we are to assist these families through the SMJ initiative, I strongly recommend that the government considers incorporating stilts into the design of houses in flood-prone regions,” he said.
This modification would ensure that the homes remain safe and dry during flooding events.
“While I appreciate the SMJ initiative and the positive impact it has on our community, we must ensure that the solutions we provide are comprehensive. The SMJ houses are excellent, and we are truly grateful for them. Yet, we know that during certain times of the year, heavy rains lead to significant flooding, which can cause hardship for those living in ground-level homes.”
“With this in mind, I urge that the design of the houses be adapted to better serve the needs of these families. I believe our Member of Parliament Datuk Ewon Benedick have the same idea. Specifically, Bertha’s house in Kampung Divato and homes in similar conditions should be prioritised for inclusion in the SMJ housing list.”
“We can expedite this process through the MP's office, but we also have local authorities in the village who can assist. It is the responsibility of community leaders, such as the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), to highlight these issues. Together, we can work towards providing effective solutions and support for those in need within our community.”
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