(NEW STRAITS TIMES) – It is estimated that every year, 35 million people die from chronic life-threatening illnesses. Of these, less than 8% have access to palliative care, termed as a holistic form of care for a patient’s physical and mental wellbeing. Palliative Care does not promise a cure, rather it sets out to comfort and maintain the highest possible quality of life for the patient, for as long as possible. Hospis Malaysia general manager Tham Su Ming said: “Among the reasons for this miniscule number would be a lack of what Palliative Care stands to offer to both the person and their family, lack of policies at national level, insufficient trained personnel and funding together with reduced access to medication. 

How can this situation be improved?

“Organised by Hospis Malaysia, the ‘New Face of Palliative Care’ photo exhibition introduces a new identity for Palliative Care through a globally-recognised symbol and raising its awareness among all walks of life, to begin with. “This new logo stands to become a common visual identity for Palliative Care, cutting across language, age, religion and cultural barriers, worldwide,” she said. Visit the exhibition at the Blue Zone/G2, Publika at Solaris Dutamas for a creative-cum-informative discovery of what Palliative Care is all about. It will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., April 25 to 29, featuring the works of leading local photographers, S.C.Shekar, David Lok and Lim Sok Lin. Shekar, David and Sok Lin are established, highly sought-after Malaysian photographers on the international circuit.

Shekar has sought to capture the daily lives of patients receiving quality treatment and care with various medical professionals while David and Sok Lin, from Studio DL, have taken a different route, concentrating on local celebrities and their contribution to raise awareness of Palliative Care and its positive contribution to extend quality care and support for patients with life-limiting illnesses through their portraits, video messages and tweets.

Well-known personalities like Hans Isaac, Bront Palarae, Datin Seri Tiara Jacqueline, Datuk Yasmin Yusuff, Yeo Yan Yan, Ho Yu Hang, sisters Sharifah Amani, Aleya and Aleysha together with mum Fatimah Abu Bakar, Yasmin Hani, to television hosts Elaine Daly, Daphne Iking, fashion icon Melinda Looi and not forgetting the country’s favourite singer Sheila Majid, have contributed in various ways.

Read more: Palliative care for patients with chronic illnesses – Latest – New Straits Times