PUTRAJAYA: Hundreds more care workers and reviewing existing laws on their practices are needed to aid senior citizens as Malaysia starts becoming an ageing society in 2030.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the ministry has successfully trained over 655 care workers since 2018 while aiming to train 385 more carers this year.
“We will discuss if we need more because we see that the private sector also wants to participate. Perhaps they can also function in a similar way to our institution in training them,” Nancy told a press conference after inaugurating the Care Industry Action Plan Development Lab in Malaysia here on Monday (May 13).
“We actually started the training in 2018 but we have not really made it public. Now, we are starting to make it known,” she said.
To further protect senior citizens, other vulnerable groups and care workers, Nancy said the ministry will also review existing laws on care worker practices to determine whether amendments are needed.
“The ministry will re-examine certain Acts that involve care such as the Child Care Centre Act 1984 and the Care Centres Act 1993 which are both over 30 years old.
“From my observations, some of the contents in the Acts require amendments and new injections in line with current developments,” she said earlier in her speech.
At the same time, she said the ministry aims to make senior citizens care a professional career.
On care workers' training, she said the programmes will include both technical skills and academic modules, a balanced approach to ensure their effectiveness as carers.
“They need to take up modules at university so that their training is not just technical, but also involves theory, which means they understand what they are doing. Currently, we will enhance their knowledge up to the diploma level.”
According to Nancy, the Care Industry Action Plan is expected to be completed by the end of July this year.
Currently, she said the ministry together with stakeholders and industry players are discussing concerns and suggestions regarding the Care Industry Action Plan through its development lab under the ministry’s purview.
