Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government is expanding its care infrastructure for the elderly and persons with disabilities (PWD), with several new facilities planned in Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu and Telupid.
Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said the Ministry, through the Sabah Welfare Services Department (JPKA), has outlined key developments to improve daily care services in major urban centres, including Sandakan and the State Capital.
“In Sandakan, the projects include the construction of a new OKU Training Complex, a new building for the OKU Children’s Educational Centre, and comprehensive repairs to the Sri Harapan Old Folks Home,” he said in response to a question from Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly on Monday.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});He added that in Kota Kinabalu, a new Integrated PWD and Elderly Complex will be built in Inanam to provide paid daily care services for up to 50 residents, vocational training and job opportunities for PWDs, and psychosocial support for senior citizens.
James added that a model “Self-Sustaining Elderly Home” is being built in Telupid to house elderly individuals without next-of-kin, free of charge, with the intention to replicate this concept in cities such as Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu in the future.
In a supplementary response to Chong, he said the Government is planning to add a new ward at the Sri Harapan home in Sandakan at a cost of RM2.5 million, which will allow an additional 20 elderly residents and improve existing care for the current 56 occupants.
Replying to a supplementary question from Telupid assemblyman Datuk Jonnybone Kurum, James said the elderly home in Telupid is expected to be completed next year and will house 15 residents, with a total project cost of approximately RM5 million.
