KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — The Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM) plans to establish elderly care centres in government facilities next year with caregiving services at a minimal rate.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said the effort would ease the burden of government servants, especially women juggling work and caring for elderly family members.
“This is a government initiative to bring back women who have quit their jobs due to caregiving responsibilities back into the workforce,” she said.
Nancy was speaking at a press conference after launching the ‘MindCare: Proactive Mental Health Support for Caregiving Communities’ campaign today.
The care centres will play an essential role in increasing women’s labour participation to 59 per cent by 2025 as targeted by the ministry.
“To achieve the percentage, the government has to do its part to make sure that women can go back to work; daycare centres must be available or even elderly care centres because they may also have parents who need to be looked after.
“The country needs women to return to work,” she said.
Nancy added the private sector’s participation in providing caregiving facilities at a reasonable cost also provides relief for those who need caregiving assistance.
So far, KPWKM hopes to launch a respite care centre comprising an elderly care centre and a daycare centre at a newly built government facility in Nibong Tebal, Penang, next year.
However, the execution and expansion of the plan will be looked at in detail upon receiving an allocation in Budget 2024.
Meanwhile, the MindCare campaign is an effort by Kiddocare and FWD Takaful to promote and empower mental well-being among caregivers in the country.
Addressing mental health issues faced by the community, she said the care industry needs an evaluation exercise to provide a more supportive and inclusive environment for caregivers, as well as care recipients in the nation.
— Bernama
