A TOTAL of 27 cases involving children who are victims of abuse or neglect, as well as senior citizens without next of kin, were still awaiting placement at suitable welfare institutions in Penang as of Oct 27 this year.
Lim Siew Khim (PH – Sungai Pinang) said the placement process for senior citizens without family members could take an average of six months or longer, depending on the availability of vacancies at suitable institutions.
She explained that the Social Welfare Department (JKM) works closely with the Medical Social Work Departments (JKSP) at government hospitals and the District Social Welfare Offices (PKMD) to coordinate suitable placements for those requiring protection and care after hospital discharge.
“For senior citizens without next of kin, the issue is that there is no one to pay for their placement at care institutions.
“Whenever possible, we try to place them at non-governmental organisation (NGO)-operated or private care centres that are willing to accept them. Some cases may be resolved within three months, while others may take six months,” she said during the oral question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Lim was responding to a supplementary question from Heng Lee Lee (PH – Berapit), who highlighted a case involving a child who was allegedly sexually abused by her biological father.
Heng said the child’s parents had separated, while the mother was overseas, leaving the child with no other family members to turn to.
She said the child was sent to hospital for medical examination but was subsequently discharged and instructed to return home, where the alleged perpetrator was the only person available to care for her.
“I personally contacted the welfare officer at the time, but JKM was unaware of the case. I believe there may have been a communication gap between the hospital and the department,” she said.
Heng stressed that such cases required better coordination between hospitals and JKM, while also highlighting how prolonged placement delays for senior citizens without next of kin could affect hospital bed availability.
In response, Lim described the child’s case as serious and said she would look into the matter to identify where the referral process had broken down.
“Based on the established procedure, the Medical Social Work Department at the hospital should refer such cases to JKM.
“However, from the case raised, it appears that there was a breakdown somewhere in the process. A child who has been abused or sexually assaulted by her biological father should not be sent back to that home,” she said.
Lim also urged Heng to provide her with further information to facilitate a closer examination of the case.
On the placement of senior citizens, Lim said JKM would explore available options at private and NGO-operated care centres while awaiting vacancies at its own institutions.
She noted that Penang had Kompleks Penyayang Sinar Kasih in Nibong Tebal, while other facilities included Rumah Seri Kenangan, Rumah Ehsan and Kompleks Penyayang Bakti in Sungai Buloh.
However, she said some senior citizens were reluctant to move to these facilities, prompting the department to also seek suitable private and NGO-operated old folks’ homes in Penang that were willing to accommodate them.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siti Nuatikah Rahmat