SOPB assistant head of support and services Joseph Ling Tiong Ing (third left) hands over the two new wheelchairs to a PDK Miri representative.

MIRI: Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad (SOPB), through its partnership with Australia-based non-profit organisation Get Equip’d, donated eight custom-made benches to the community-based rehabilitation centre (PDK) here recently.

It is learnt that the benches, made by SOPB, provide additional stability as well as improved alignment for children with special needs.

The group said the benches would be useful in physical and occupational therapy of the children.

“SOPB first partnered up with Get Equip’d in 2016 in a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, with the donation of specially-designed wheelchairs to the Association of Parents of Children with Special Needs (PIBAKIS) and also to patients at the occupational therapy ward in Miri Hospital.

“Another two wheelchairs were donated in addition to the current line-up for 2018,” the group said, pointing out that the wheelchairs were designed not only to facilitate movements, but also to provide back and lateral movement support.

“With the additional two wheelchairs at Miri PDK, the parents will be able to learn the proper way of using the wheelchairs and thus, utilising this facility to its utmost potential,” it said.

On another note, SOPB said it had just sponsored the six-week student’s placement programme at PDK Miri.

Four occupational and two physiotherapy students from Curtin University in Perth, Australia were brought to PDK Miri where they provided education, training, evidence-based therapy and equipment services to enhance the skills of PDK staff.

“SOPB is supporting Get Equip’d for the whole period of the programme. It is to ensure that the children with special needs would receive modern and up-to-date treatment and therapy,” it added.

Representatives of SOPB, Get Equip’d and PDK Miri gather for a group photo, which features the custom-made benches.

Source: The Borneo Post Online – http://www.theborneopost.com/2018/05/29/sopb-donates-made-for-therapy-benches-to-pdk-miri/