Latest news with #FamilyandCommunityDevelopment
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Strengthening long-term healthcare plan for seniors
PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia braces for a rapidly ageing population, the government is finalising the National Ageing Blueprint 2025–2045 to strengthen long-term care planning, enhance the well-being of senior citizens, and boost inter-agency coordination over the next two decades. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the blueprint, which is in the drafting stage, will serve as a comprehensive guide in addressing the challenges of an ageing society. 'One of the ministry's main focuses is developing an efficient and sustainable long-term care service ecosystem. Following a series of consultations and studies, including a Development Lab involving multiple stakeholders, the Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Care is now in its final development stage. 'The ministry also plans to launch the National Senior Citizens Action Plan 2026–2030, covering areas such as safety and protection, lifelong learning and intergenerational engagement,' she said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Nancy said the blueprint takes a holistic and cross-ministerial approach involving various ministries and agencies to comprehensively prepare the nation for demographic shifts. She said it calls for proactive reforms, including a shift in the healthcare system, from a disease treatment model to one that prioritises lifelong well-being, as well as new financing models for care provision. 'Additionally, reforms in social protection systems, including insurance, are also to be examined, along with other policy matters that have macroeconomic implications such as the retirement age. 'Therefore, this agenda cannot be placed solely on the shoulders of the government or a single ministry. It requires a whole-of-government approach to effectively address the issue.' Nancy said while it is undeniable that the demand for care services is high, the affordability of such services is not only a challenge in Malaysia but a global concern as well. 'We have conducted studies and benchmarking exercises with other countries, and the ministry will continue to collaborate with other ministries and agencies to find sustainable solutions,' she said. Nancy added that there is no official data collection for either formal or informal carers in Malaysia. However, the ministry has recorded 6,744 individuals who have obtained the Malaysian Skills Certificate in the field of care and community services. In addition, 43,869 individuals have professional qualifications in childcare, indicating a pool of trained personnel with the necessary skills and credentials to provide formal care services. 'Meanwhile, the official data available from the ministry that provides insight into the number of informal carers is the monthly aid recipient data from the Social Welfare Department. 'For eligible individuals, the government provides monthly welfare assistance through the department to ease the burden of those providing care to bedridden or infirm family members via the Assistance for Bedridden Chronic Patients scheme. 'As of April, the government has disbursed a total of RM59.6 million to 31,138 recipients of this aid,' she said. In response to Salamiah Mohd Nor (PN–Temerloh) on efforts to address abuse and neglect by family members, Nancy said the ministry adopts a comprehensive approach to address such cases. 'In addition to providing counselling services, we also offer protection and work with NGOs to support victims of abuse. 'For bedridden individuals, the Home Welfare Services programme provides house visits and assistance,' she said. However, Nancy stressed that the main challenge lies in detecting abuse that happens behind closed doors. 'We urge the public to come forward if they suspect such incidents. Reports can be made via our helpline Talian Kasih at 15999,' she added.
Barnama
a day ago
- Health
- Barnama
KPWKM's Mental Health Screening Booth At PMR Kelantan Draws Crowd
KOTA BHARU, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- A brief and interactive stress-level screening service offered at the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) booth at the MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 Kelantan has caught the attention of many visitors. This initiative provides the public an opportunity to assess their mental health status through a simple and quick questionnaire, thereby promoting early awareness of healthy emotional management. Yusra Nayli Mat Yunus, a counsellor with KPWKM's National Welfare Foundation, said nearly 100 visitors had undergone the screening by noon today, representing diverse segments of the community. She said the screening serves as an initial step to gauge individual stress levels, but for accurate results, participants must answer the questions honestly. 'Each screening session is followed by counselling services, which not only benefit the individuals involved but also signal a positive trend in growing public awareness of mental health,' she said. 'I encourage everyone to take advantage of this screening as a first step in safeguarding emotional and mental well-being,' she told Bernama at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV here, where the programme is being held. Meanwhile, visitor Ahmad Khirul Che Sadom, 32, said the user-friendly and informal approach was highly effective, especially in encouraging the public to begin taking mental health seriously. 'Most people are reluctant to attend formal counselling sessions unless they are already under serious stress. So this kind of early screening is very helpful – it's easily accessible and not intimidating,' he said. He also praised the referral system in place, whereby individuals found to have moderate to severe stress levels are immediately referred to on-site counsellors at the booth.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia's national care action plan 2026-2030 in final phase
KUALA LUMPUR: The Strategic Framework and Care Action Plan in Malaysia 2026-2030 is nearing completion under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM). Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri confirmed the plan is in its final preparation stage. She highlighted extensive engagement sessions to align the framework with national needs, including the upcoming National Ageing Action Plan 2025-2045. A key focus will be building an efficient long-term care (LTC) service ecosystem. The ministry also plans to introduce the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens 2026-2030. This plan will cover safety, lifelong learning, and intergenerational engagement. Nancy shared these details during a Dewan Rakyat session today. She was responding to a query from Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (PH-Gombak) on informal care workers and ageing population policies. No official data exists yet on formal or informal care workers in Malaysia. However, data collection will be central to the 2026-2030 Care Action Plan. KPWKM has recorded 6,744 individuals with Malaysian Skills Certificates in Care and Community Services. Another 43,869 hold professional childcare qualifications. These individuals are equipped to provide formal care services. Informal caregiver data is based on Social Welfare Department (JKM) assistance recipients. The Bedridden Patient Assistance scheme supports caregivers of critically ill family members. As of April 2025, RM59.6 million has been distributed to 31,138 recipients. - Bernama
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Strategic Framework And National Care Action Plan Now In Final Phase
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The Strategic Framework and Care Action Plan in Malaysia 2026-2030, currently being developed by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), is now in its final stage of preparation. Its Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that various engagement sessions have been held to ensure the plan aligns with the country's current and long-term needs, including the National Ageing Action Plan 2025-2045, which is currently being drafted. 'One of the key areas KPWKM will focus on is the establishment of an efficient and sustainable long-term care (LTC) service ecosystem. 'At the same time, the ministry is also planning to launch the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens 2026-2030, which will include elements such as safety and protection, lifelong learning, and intergenerational engagement and cohesion,' she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. She was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (PH-Gombak), who asked the ministry to state the number of informal workers registered in the care economy sector and the ministry's policies and preparations to address an ageing population. Commenting on the number of informal workers in the care economy sector, Nancy said currently, no official data has been collected on care services provided by either formal or informal carers in the country. However, she said data collection on care services will be one of the core components of the Strategic Framework and Care Action Plan 2026-2030. 'For the record, to date, KPWKM has recorded a total of 6,744 individuals who hold the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) in Care and Community Services, while another 43,869 individuals possess professional skills in child care. 'These individuals have the skills and qualifications to offer formal care services,' she said.
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Over 50,000 skilled care workers identified, says Nancy Shukri
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 6,744 individuals have been awarded the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) in Community Care and Services, while another 43,869 possess professional qualifications in childcare, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri ( pic ). The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said these individuals have the skills and qualifications to offer formal care services. However, Nancy said there is currently no official data collection system for formal or informal carers in Malaysia. 'One of the strategic pillars in the Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Care in Malaysia 2026-2030, which is being developed by the Ministry, will include data collection for this sector,' she said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Aug 7). In the meantime, she said the Ministry uses available statistics from recipients of the Social Welfare Department's monthly assistance as a reference point for informal carers. 'For those who qualify, the government provides monthly aid to ease the burden of individuals caring for bedridden and elderly family members through the Bedridden Chronic Patients Aid scheme. 'As of April 2025, the government has channelled RM59.6 million to 31,138 recipients,' she said. Nancy also said preparations are under way to address the challenges of an ageing population such as the National Senior Citizens Action Plan 2026-2030 and the National Ageing Action Plan 2025–2045, which will serve as a long-term guide involving short-, medium-, and long-term strategies across ministries and agencies. 'A key focus for the ministry will be developing an efficient and sustainable long-term care (LTC) service ecosystem. 'After extensive consultations and studies, including development labs with stakeholders, the Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Care is now in its final stage,' she said.
