KUCHING: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is targeting to train 2,000 caregivers nationwide this year, a significant increase from previous years following positive results from its caregiver training initiative.
According to the minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, the programme initially focused on ministry personnel involved in providing care at homes and institutions before being expanded to individuals outside the department.
She said the programme began with 400 participants due to funding constraints before increasing to 485 last year.
“This year, we are targeting 2,000 because the Ministry of Finance has confidence in what we have done, as the programme is reaching our target groups,” she said when met after the Sarawak-level Program Sokongan Penjaga Insan Sejahtera (SPeKTRUM) here today (Aug 23).
Nancy said the 2,000 target is expected to be achieved by November based on the training schedule already in place.
“The training is not limited to caregivers of the elderly but covers those caring for people requiring assistance, including persons with disabilities, bedridden patients, and children who need care,” she said.
According to her, participants are professionally trained in proper methods for handling and caring for those under their supervision and receive motivational support.
“Based on the feedback from those I spoke to, they were satisfied because even within one day, they were taught the proper way to handle sick and bedridden persons.
“They are not merely providing care, but they are doing so with training,” she said, adding that more than 500 ministry personnel from Sarawak had also undergone training.
“Beginning this year, the opportunity has been widened beyond Social Welfare Department personnel to include members of the public involved in caregiving.
“Those from Sarawak or elsewhere who are outside our department can begin applying to undergo the training,” she said.
Looking ahead, Nancy said the ministry hopes to increase the number of trained caregivers to 3,000 next year, subject to funding approval.
“If the allocation is approved, we are actually targeting to train 3,000 people.
“This is a specialised job that is greatly needed. Many people think this is a very low-class job, but they do not realise that this type of work involves professional and valuable training,” she said.
Nancy also revealed that private hospitals had approached the ministry seeking potential trained individuals for employment.
However, she said the ministry’s current priority remains training its own personnel and those assisting the department.
On whether a dedicated caregiver training centre could be established in Sarawak, Nancy said there was no need to build additional centres as the training model is mobile and can be conducted in different locations.
“We are not increasing the number of training centres. We are increasing the number of participants. That is what we are applying for.
“The training can move. If we want to conduct it in Kuching or Miri, we can do so.
“The ministry works with universities, hospitals, and other strategic partners to provide the necessary expertise and facilities for the programme,” she added.
Nancy said more organisations have also expressed interest in becoming strategic partners, which could further expand the programme next year.
