Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of Education (MOE) is gearing up to extend the School-in-Hospital (SDH) programme to the Orang Asli Hospital Gombak by the end of the current year, as announced by Minister Fadhlina Sidek. This initiative aims to ensure that Orang Asli children continue their education while undergoing medical treatment.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the MOE, in collaboration with the Health Ministry (MOH), is making extensive preparations to implement the programme effectively. Currently, the SDH programme is operational in 19 healthcare facilities and has benefitted over 50,000 students. An impressive 91 percent of the SDH students passed and qualified for a certificate in the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

Minister Fadhlina made this announcement following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the MOE and MOH to facilitate the SDH programme. The event also marked the launch of the programme at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital, attended by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Presently, the programme operates in 19 centres nationwide, with 16 located in MOH facilities and the rest in university-managed teaching hospitals. The SDH programme offers a structured educational service tailored to the needs of students in hospitals, focusing on engaging activities in a conducive environment.

Dr Dzulkefly highlighted that the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital (HRC) is the latest MOH facility to implement the SDH programme, which began at Hospital Tunku Azizah in July 2011. He noted that HRC has registered 118 students, with total attendance surpassing 1,300, reflecting their determination to continue learning despite health challenges.