Shah Alam: Eco World Development Group Berhad (EcoWorld) and Aged Care Group (ACG) today signed two separate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH) of Taiwan that will see KMUH sharing knowledge and experience in healthcare & wellness service. The collaboration will involve teaching, research, talent cultivation and talent exchange between both countries.

As Malaysia prepares itself to be an ageing nation where more than 10% of its population will be 60 years and older by 2020, thought has to be given to grapple with the problems and challenges that will arise. Most common and high on the list is deteriorating health, special care and lack of proper shelter.

Recognising these challenges, EcoWorld worked closely with ACG to create a holistic living environment encompassing an integrated health & wellness concept focussing on “health & wellness” in its Eco Sanctuary township. The Eco Sanctuary Care Hub was established in September last year with services provided by ACG.

This is also in line with the Group’s focus to bring their Signature Townships up another level to drive further value creation. Under the aegis of a new programme named “Life@EcoWorld”, various new elements have been introduced to heighten the desirability and liveability of every EcoWorld development. This includes the creation of digitally enabled communities using 4th industrial revolution solutions as well as the introduction of Integrated Wellness & Care components that meet the needs and lifestyle aspirations of our customers at every stage of their lives.

The Life@EcoWorld pilot project kicked off in The Parque Residences – Eco Sanctuary’s luxury high rise where the Care Hub offers 24/7 nurse-on-call services as well as a care manager to attend to any care services requests.

The establishment of Co-Wellness in Eco Sanctuary Mall also followed suit in December 2018 to offer the wider community health & wellness supports which are similar to what Care Hub offers.

The idea for this stemmed from the term ageing-in-place – defined as the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.

Catering to people of all walks of life, The Parque Residences at Eco Sanctuary also offers unique “ageing in place” features that include:

• A Care Hub with 24/7 nurse station and monthly doctor consultation
• A home providing accessibility with furnished features at easily reachable heights
• Furnished with friendly design and safety support like bathroom with handrails, even-level floor and non-slip tiles
• Complimentary shuttle services within the township, including a shopping mall which comes with a wellness theme
• Individualised concierge and hospitality services like housekeeping and meals delivery
• Personalised health and wellness services like medical escort, physiotherapy, blood pressure and sugar level monitoring

Services provided are based on the Circles of 5 Enriched Living Programme which comprises five key components – Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Financial. Residents can engage in the many recreational activities that surround the five components which also acts as a platform for the community to gather and socialise.

Apart from Care Hub at Eco Sanctuary, another initiative by the Group is the Life Space at Eco Ardence. Life Space is a platform created to accelerate community building efforts in the township with activities organised for the elderly and the community as a whole as a means of promoting a holistic lifestyle.

The MOUs with KMUH is another milestone for EcoWorld and ACG, reaffirming the companies’ commitment to create awareness on aged care and raising the standards of health & wellness in communities.

EcoWorld will be able to leverage on KMUH’s expertise in the health & wellness perspective whilst ACG will gain knowledge in its caregiving part. KMUH’s expertise ranges from health & wellness related training to instilling health & wellness awareness amongst the community to even providing medical related advice to those in need.

President & CEO of EcoWorld Dato’ Chang Khim Wah said: “We are always raising the bar when it comes to creating value in our developments and the setting up of a Care Hub in Parque Residences was a first for an EcoWorld development. As we kickstart the Life@EcoWorld programme, we are thrilled to be able to collaborate with KMUH to raise the bar further in offering a more comprehensive health & wellness service in a holistic environment like Eco Sanctuary.”

Dato’ Frank Choo, Managing Director of ACG said: “It has been a vision realised for ACG to be able to integrate the concept of “medical & health” in a multi-generational community like Eco Sanctuary where the elderly can enjoy healthcare services without leaving their homes, their children or their living environment.

Dr Ming-Feng Hou, MD, Superintendent of KMUH said: “We are delighted with this collaboration between ACG and EcoWorld and look forward to a beneficial partnership of exchange of knowledge between two countries.”

Malaysia is the second southeast Asian country after Vietnam to collaborate with the Kaohsiung Group. Its state-of-the-art medical system is being used in three hospitals and one medical university in Taiwan. They are Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital and Kaohsiung Medical University.

A 15-strong medical team from Taiwan consisting of senior medical experts are currently on tour in Malaysia. They are led by Superintendent of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital Dr. Ming-Feng Hou and Superintendent of Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital Dr Yan-Xu, Chen.