Our History

🌿Pioneering Palliative Care in Sabah

The story of palliative care in Sabah began in 1991 with a simple but urgent realization. Despite advances in cancer treatment, many patients with advanced and incurable cancers continued to experience pain, distressing symptoms, and emotional suffering without adequate support. Many returned home after treatment to face their final days with limited care, placing tremendous physical and emotional burdens on their families.

Recognizing this unmet need, a group of dedicated healthcare professionals began exploring ways to introduce palliative care services in Sabah. Their vision was to ensure that every person facing a life-limiting illness could receive compassionate care, comfort, dignity, and support throughout their journey.

🌿Building the Foundation

In April 1992, a delegation from Kota Kinabalu visited Australia to study established hospice and palliative care services. Sponsored by Surgeons International Melbourne and Professor R.C. Bennett, a strong advocate for healthcare development in Sabah, the visit provided valuable insights and inspiration for creating a local palliative care model.

Later that year, an Anti-Cancer Campaign was launched across Tawau, Sandakan, and Keningau under the Sabah Cancer Society. Through public forums, exhibitions, and community outreach programmes, awareness was raised not only about cancer prevention and treatment but also about the importance of palliative care.

The growing interest led to the formation of a working committee under the Sabah Cancer Society, chaired by Tan Sri Thomas Jayasuriya, to establish a hospice home care programme for patients requiring ongoing support.

🌿Bringing Care into Homes

A significant milestone was achieved in March 1993 with the launch of Sabah’s first Home Care Programme under the Sabah Cancer Society, supported by the Department of Surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Ms. Jercy Ng was appointed as the first Nurse Coordinator, helping to bring professional care, comfort, and support directly into the homes of patients and their families.

🌿A National Model for Palliative Care

A landmark achievement was reached in January 1995 when Datuk Dr. Ranjit Mathew Oommen. established Malaysia’s first hospital-based Palliative Care Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. Initially comprising four beds, the unit was created following advocacy efforts highlighting the urgent need for specialized palliative care services and received strong support from hospital leadership and the Ministry of Health. 

As demand increased, the unit expanded to ten beds in January 1996 with dedicated staffing and management. The Ministry of Health subsequently recognized the unit as a model for palliative care services in Malaysia. Healthcare professionals from across the country visited Kota Kinabalu to learn from its integrated approach, combining hospital-based specialist care with community home care support.

🌿Expanding Across Sabah

The awareness campaigns and outreach efforts of the early 1990s inspired the growth of palliative care services throughout Sabah.

• 7 December 1996 – Hospice Sandakan was officially launched through the efforts of JCI and later registered as a non-governmental organization in January 1998.

• May 1997 – Tawau Hospice Association was established and subsequently registered as a non-governmental organization in December 1998.

These developments marked the beginning of a wider palliative care movement, extending compassionate care to more communities across the state.

🌿Establishment of the Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu

A landmark achievement came in June 1998 with the registration of the Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu (PCAKK) as a non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting patients with advanced, life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Ms. Jercy Ng, whose leadership and dedication had been instrumental in the development of palliative care services in Sabah, was elected as the Association’s first President.

🌿Continuing the Mission

Today, the Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu continues the vision established more than three decades ago , ensuring that individuals facing serious illness receive compassionate, holistic, and dignified care. Through professional support, community engagement, education, and advocacy, PCAKK remains committed to improving the quality of life for patients and families throughout Sabah.