IN recent years, the issue of speech and language delays among children in Sarawak has been a growing concern.
As the numbers of children diagnosed with speech delays continue to rise, the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, under the leadership of its Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, has stepped up efforts to address the issue.
Through comprehensive initiatives and collaborative efforts, the Ministry is working to strengthen early detection, intervention, and long-term care, ensuring that children with speech and language delays can be better integrated into mainstream education and society.
The growing concern of speech and language delays
Speech and language delays in children are not new, but the rate at which they are being detected has certainly risen in recent years.
According to statistics from One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) Sarawak, the centre established by the Ministry and first of its kind in Sarawak, the number of children diagnosed with speech delays has increased significantly.
OSEIC Sarawak is set up to work on the developmental, health and support of babies and young children diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome or learning disability.
When OSEIC Sarawak first opened its doors in October 2020, 69 children were recorded with speech and language delays. As of the most recent data, this number has risen to 209.
While this could reflect an increase in the actual number of cases, it could also be indicative of growing awareness among parents, teachers, and healthcare providers, as well as enhanced access to diagnosis and intervention services.
“We are seeing a trend that suggests an increasing awareness among the public. Parents are becoming more informed, and as a result, children are being diagnosed earlier.
“This, in turn, allows us to intervene and provide the support they need at an earlier stage, giving them a better chance for development,” Fatimah told Sarawak Tribune recently.
Policies and programmes for early detection and intervention
The Ministry’s focus on early intervention is evident through its key programmes, most notably the OSEIC Sarawak initiative.
Through OSEIC Sarawak, the Ministry provides screening, early intervention programmes, and family support services to ensure that children with speech delays are identified and receive the right intervention promptly.
“Early intervention is critical, especially for children aged six years and below. The earlier we can identify speech and language delays, the more effective our interventions will be.
“This is why the OSEIC programme has been so successful. It’s not just a centre for diagnosis, but also a place where families can find resources and support,” she said.
OSEIC Sarawak provides a centralised platform for addressing the needs of children with developmental delays, offering services that include speech therapy, occupational therapy, and family support services.
These programmes are designed not only to assist the child’s development but also to empower families with the knowledge and tools to assist their children at home.
Collaboration with hospitals, schools, and NGOs
Collaboration is at the heart of the Ministry’s strategy
Fatimah outlined how her Ministry works with hospitals, schools, and NGOs to create an integrated support system.
The Ministry emphasises the importance of a multi-faceted approach that brings together various sectors to work in unison, ensuring that no child slips through the cracks.
“We are working closely with hospitals to provide early detection and referrals. Schools are integral in ensuring that children receive the educational support they need, and NGOs play a crucial role in extending services to the community.
“At OSEIC Sarawak, we’ve integrated these partnerships under one roof, creating a comprehensive and coordinated support system that can cater to the needs of children and their families,” she said.
By establishing these partnerships, the Ministry ensures that the support system for children facing speech delays is seamless and effective.
Families can navigate through a variety of services without having to go through multiple channels, making it easier for them to access the help they need.
Addressing the shortage of speech therapists in Sarawak
One of the most significant challenges faced by the Ministry is the shortage of speech therapists, particularly in Sarawak’s rural and semi-urban areas. While the demand for speech therapy services is growing, the supply of qualified professionals remains limited.
Fatimah pointed out that at OSEIC Sarawak alone, over 200 children have been diagnosed with speech delays, and more than 130 are on the waiting list.
“There is no denying that Sarawak is facing a critical shortage of speech therapists.
“This is especially evident in rural areas, where there is a lack of qualified professionals. We recognise this challenge and have put measures in place to address it,” she said.
The Ministry has adopted a two-pronged approach to tackling this issue. Firstly, it is expanding the reach of OSEIC Sarawak to more districts, ensuring that services are more widely available.
Secondly, the Ministry is strengthening collaborations with organisations like TOY8, which specialises in digital speech therapy, to increase access to therapy services through telemedicine and online solutions.
“We are looking at expanding services to reach more areas. Our collaboration with TOYB is helping us provide immediate support for children in need, and we are training more professionals to ensure that we can meet the demand,” Fatimah said.
Expanding access to speech therapy in rural and remote areas
Access to therapy remains a major concern for families living in rural and remote areas of Sarawak. In these regions, the nearest therapy centre may be located far away, making it difficult for families to regularly access necessary services.
To address this, the Ministry has been expanding OSEIC Sarawak’s outreach services, ensuring that children in remote areas can benefit from early detection and intervention services.
The Ministry is also leveraging digital technology to bridge the gap in access. Through its partnership with TOY8, digital tele-therapy solutions have been introduced to support children on waiting lists and those living far from urban centres.
“We are actively exploring mobile clinics and tele-therapy solutions to ensure that children in remote villages are not left behind. Technology is helping us extend our services further and bring them closer to families,” she said.
Currently, OSEIC Dalat has been operational since March 2023, and the Ministry plans to open new centres in various districts across Sarawak between 2026 and 2030.
This includes Miri, Samarahan, Serian, Bintulu, Sibu, and many more, ensuring that every child in Sarawak has access to early intervention services.
Raising awareness among parents and teachers
Another crucial aspect of the Ministry’s work is raising awareness about speech delays among parents and teachers. Educating the public about the early signs of speech and language delays is essential to ensure that children are diagnosed and supported as early as possible.
She highlighted the importance of empowering parents and teachers to identify developmental delays.
“We have conducted numerous workshops and outreach programmes for parents and teachers to help them recognise the signs of speech delays. In 2025 alone, we reached over 130 parents in Miri and Kuching,” she said.
These workshops provide parents and educators with the knowledge and tools they need to detect potential speech and language difficulties early.
The Ministry is also working closely with kindergartens and childcare centres to integrate early screening programmes, ensuring that speech delays are detected as early as possible, in the child’s natural learning environment.
Making therapy affordable for all
While speech therapy can be costly, the Ministry is committed to ensuring that therapy services remain accessible to families of all financial backgrounds.
At OSEIC Sarawak, therapy services are provided at a minimal fee of RM 50 per month, with support from the Sarawak government. This affordable fee structure ensures that financial constraints do not prevent children from receiving the care they need.
“Our goal is to make sure that every child, regardless of their family’s financial situation, has access to the support they need. We’ve worked hard to ensure that therapy remains affordable for all families,” she said.
A long-term vision for children with speech delays
Looking ahead, the Ministry has a long-term vision for children with speech delays in Sarawak.
She envisions a future where every child with a developmental delay has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential and integrate confidently into mainstream education and society.
“We want to build a system where no child is left behind. We are strengthening our services, expanding our reach, and training more professionals to ensure that every child in Sarawak gets the support they need.
“Ultimately, we want to build an inclusive support system where families feel supported every step of the way,” she said.
The Ministry’s efforts to address speech and language delays in Sarawak reflect its commitment to improving the lives of children and ensuring that they have the best possible start in life.
Through continued investment in early detection, intervention, and collaboration with various stakeholders, Sarawak is making strides in building a brighter future for its children.
