PERCH[1] was set up, in collaboration with UNHCR & MSF, to provide a positive step in fundamentally improving health care for refugees in response to the growing number of refugees who were unable to access government hospitals directly. It is a place of safety and a transit stop for refugees who await hospital appointments as well as a convalescence home for refugees needing post hospitalisation care.

 

PERCH is located just outside the village of Batu Arang, some 60 km from central Kuala Lumpur. PERCH makes an ideal location for sick and injured refugees needing sanctuary and safety. The bungalow is situated in approximately ¾ of an acre of garden, made up of both kitchen, garden, pond, and is laid to lawn.

 

The home began with its formal opening on 16 November 2005, with just 16 hospital beds. This has increased to 20 beds. The home has a well equipped clinic which is able to treat and care for the majority of all cases referred to the home. Examples of some of these medical cases are trauma sustained in accidents (fractures, injuries, paralysis, burns and wounds) and diseases (suspected tuberculosis, suspected dengue fever, sepsis, cancer and urinary tract infections).

 

The home has benefited from having as part of the new extensions built: a purpose built kitchen which can cater for large numbers, a new large dinning area that also doubles as a place to hold meetings and recreation area for patients, a purpose built toilet and a shower block providing easy wheelchair access and the ability for carers to accompany patients who need assistance to bathe.

 

The foundation of our convalescence / nursing facility PERCH is to provide free practical medical assistance (pre and post hospitalization) to refugees whose needs require additional care and attention. In addition we also carry out hospital referrals. Should a refugee require hospitalization, PERCH will arrange for transport, see that the patient is admitted and ensure that there are no financial problems with the hospital costs. We also coordinate with UNHCR and highlight to them all emergency cases for registration, especially those who would benefit from resettlement based on their medical needs as refugee patients.

 

Simply put, our goals are to –

 

P     Provide a greater degree of support

E     Erase fear due to cost of treatment

R     Reach out and target the most medically vulnerable

C     Care and coordinate access to treatment

H     House and provide a place of safety and stability.