Addressing evolving needs of care facilities
Selangor government held a Care Centre Guidelines Improvement Workshop to address the evolving needs of care facilities and aligning their operations with urban development.
'The workshop aims to identify the current needs of care centres, nursing homes and nurseries as well as to improve existing guidelines related to such facilities,' said Special Committee for Improvements of Care Services (JKPPP) chairman Michelle Ng after launching the workshop in Shah Alam.
Ng chairs the Special Committee for Improvements of Care Services. For example, she said, a care centre was allowed to operate in Petaling Jaya where there were 200 households or a population of 1,000 but that ratio does not apply in reality today.
The Subang Jaya assemblyman said with more people from neighbouring districts accessing the nearest or most convenient care facilities, rules needed to be adjusted to accommodate the numbers.
'There is also a discussion on whether there should be a certain radius allowance for the proximity of care centres and nursing homes to hospitals,' she said.
Ng added that the workshop would help prioritise proactive and forward-thinking approaches to ensure the state's care centres, nursing homes and assisted living facilities operate at the highest standards.
Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation president Datin Paduka Khatijah Sulaiman said care centres often chose to be located near hospitals for strategic reasons.
'This move prioritises residents' well-being by ensuring easier access to medical care, emergency response and appointments.
'Proximity can be crucial for timely responses to health situations, facilitating follow-up appointments and providing peace of mind for families who leave their parents or children at the care centres,' said Khatijah, who was one of the workshop's attendees.
JKPPP has been entrusted to review, assess and improve laws related to care services for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities in Selangor.
Ng said a survey was carried out, in April, involving care centres and nursing homes to get feedback on improving existing guidelines and regulations in the care industry.
The committee comprises representatives from the Local Authorities Section and Sectoral Section of Selangor State Economic Planning Unit, Selangor Legal Advisor, Selangor Welfare Department, Selangor Health Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Selangor Town and Country Planning Department (PlanMalaysia) as well as local authorities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Serious health threat warning as haze returns
PETALING JAYA: As haze once again descends on parts of Malaysia, experts are sounding the alarm over its serious and far-reaching health consequences – from exacerbated respiratory conditions and increased hospitalisations to possible links with lung cancer. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) lecturer and consultant respiratory physician Assoc Prof Dr Ng Boon Hau said haze is strongly associated with the worsening of respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 'The fine particles and toxic gases present in the haze can make breathing increasingly difficult, triggering symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. 'Patients with asthma or COPD may experience more frequent and severe flare-ups during haze periods, sometimes requiring changes in medication or even hospitalisation,' he said. Ng also highlighted rising concerns over a potential uptick in lung cancer cases linked to haze exposure. 'While more research is needed to establish a direct link, prolonged exposure to airborne pollutants – particularly fine particulate matter like PM2.5 – has been associated with higher risks of developing long-term respiratory diseases and certain cancers,' he said. UKM respiratory unit head and consultant respiratory physician Assoc Prof Dr Andrea Ban Yu-Lin warned that chronic exposure to haze can lead to reduced lung function and ongoing airway inflammation. 'Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable during haze season. 'Children's lungs are still developing and are more sensitive to air pollutants, while older individuals often have weaker respiratory systems and declining physiological function.' She added that individuals with chronic health conditions including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, heart problems or obesity, face an even greater risk. Haze exposure can worsen these illnesses, sometimes resulting in severe symptoms that require emergency treatment or hospital admission. Backing this concern, she cited a local study conducted from January 2014 to December 2015. 'The study recorded a significant increase in respiratory-related hospital admissions during Southeast Asia's haze period. 'Over the 16 weeks of haze, hospitalisations nearly doubled, with more patients requiring intensive care. 'The haze not only led to more asthma and COPD admissions but also worsened chronic heart and lung conditions, especially in medically vulnerable individuals,' she said. Beyond respiratory health, UKM public health medicine specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh pointed out that the impact of haze stretches well beyond the lungs. 'Haze can reduce visibility and increase the risk of road crashes, especially during peak hours. 'It also traps heat, worsening already high temperatures and leading to heat-related illnesses,' she said. In agriculture, prolonged haze can reduce crop yields and may contribute to food insecurity, she added. On the health front, haze exposure can trigger a wide range of symptoms, including eye and skin irritation, throat dryness and general respiratory discomfort. She said fine airborne particles can settle on the skin, causing itchiness or dermatitis, while inhalation of pollutants can lead to coughing, breathlessness or chest tightness, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions. UKM lecturer and consultant respiratory physician Dr Nik Nuratiqah Nik Abeed advised the public to wear proper protective masks, such as N95 respirators and to limit outdoor activities. 'Stay hydrated to soothe the respiratory tract. Those with asthma or COPD must strictly follow their treatment plans to avoid complications,' she said.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Addressing evolving needs of care facilities
Participants at the Selangor State Care Centre and Nurseries Guidelines for Improvement Workshop held in Shah Alam. — KK SHAM/The Star Selangor government held a Care Centre Guidelines Improvement Workshop to address the evolving needs of care facilities and aligning their operations with urban development. 'The workshop aims to identify the current needs of care centres, nursing homes and nurseries as well as to improve existing guidelines related to such facilities,' said Special Committee for Improvements of Care Services (JKPPP) chairman Michelle Ng after launching the workshop in Shah Alam. Ng chairs the Special Committee for Improvements of Care Services. For example, she said, a care centre was allowed to operate in Petaling Jaya where there were 200 households or a population of 1,000 but that ratio does not apply in reality today. The Subang Jaya assemblyman said with more people from neighbouring districts accessing the nearest or most convenient care facilities, rules needed to be adjusted to accommodate the numbers. 'There is also a discussion on whether there should be a certain radius allowance for the proximity of care centres and nursing homes to hospitals,' she said. Ng added that the workshop would help prioritise proactive and forward-thinking approaches to ensure the state's care centres, nursing homes and assisted living facilities operate at the highest standards. Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation president Datin Paduka Khatijah Sulaiman said care centres often chose to be located near hospitals for strategic reasons. 'This move prioritises residents' well-being by ensuring easier access to medical care, emergency response and appointments. 'Proximity can be crucial for timely responses to health situations, facilitating follow-up appointments and providing peace of mind for families who leave their parents or children at the care centres,' said Khatijah, who was one of the workshop's attendees. JKPPP has been entrusted to review, assess and improve laws related to care services for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities in Selangor. Ng said a survey was carried out, in April, involving care centres and nursing homes to get feedback on improving existing guidelines and regulations in the care industry. The committee comprises representatives from the Local Authorities Section and Sectoral Section of Selangor State Economic Planning Unit, Selangor Legal Advisor, Selangor Welfare Department, Selangor Health Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Selangor Town and Country Planning Department (PlanMalaysia) as well as local authorities.
The Star
19-07-2025
- The Star
Selangor ramps up bid to be top medical tourism hub
Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim. KLANG: Selangor is moving at top speed to strengthen its position as a regional medical tourism hub. State government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said intense promotions have been carried out for the past two years to push Selangor's 42 private hospitals and the world-class health services available here. 'Currently, Selangor is number three after Penang and Melaka in the medical tourism hierarchy. ' According to Ng, Selangor was targeting medical tourists from Indonesia as Malaysia was their destination of choice for second opinions, health screening, cosmetic surgery as well as treatment and surgeries for various ailments. He said affluent Indonesians medical tourists do not usually travel alone, but would bring their families, caregivers and domestic helpers. 'So, while seeking treatment and medical consultation, they also stay in top hotels, visit tourist attractions as well as carry out extensive shopping. 'All these activities are a boon for the state's tourism industry.' Given that medical tourists from Jakarta and Medan prefer going to Penang and Melaka due to the close travel proximity, Ng said in addition to wooing them, Selangor was also exploring other locations in Indonesia. 'We teamed-up with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council and have gone to promote Selangor as a medical tourism hub in Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Makassar. 'We had booths to showcase our private hospitals, the facilities and expertise they offer.' He added that in pursuit of Indonesian medical tourists, Selangor has even conceptualised a campaign with its own theme song dubbed Liburan Sehat Ya Di Selangor Aja! (Enjoy a Healthy Vacation in Selangor!) in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year 2025 and Visit Malaysia 2026. He said this was also a good time to woo Indonesian medical tourists who frequent Singapore but are finding it too expensive now due to the strength of the republic's currency. He added that due to intense promotions, medical tourists to Selangor has increased by more than 10% in the first six months of this year. Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said medical tourists came to Malaysia mainly for fertility, gastroenterology and oncology treatments. He added that roughly about 80% came for treatment while the rest came for health screening with the bulk of the medical tourists coming from Indonesia, China and India.
