SIBU, Aug 2: Some 10 homeless people who were rescued in an integrated programme last night were found to be suffering from mental health issues.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Wellbeing, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah who led the operation said the 10 individuals will be sent to the psychiatric ward of Sibu Hospital for further treatment.
“They will be referred to the psychiatric ward of Sibu Hospital but subject to the capacity of the ward until their condition is stable and are able to return to the Temporary Transit Centre for the Homeless (TTG) Sibu,” she added.
According to her, the pilot project to save the homeless through the homeless exchange approach between Sibu Hospital and TTG Sibu is a temporary and short-term approach to reduce the presence of mentally challenged homeless people in public places.
“For the information, our TTG is not a psychiatric nursing home according to the interpretation in the Mental Health Act,” said Fatimah.
In line with this, her ministry (KPWKM) is requesting that the Federal government through the Ministry of Health Malaysia establish a Psychiatric Care Center in Sarawak and through KPWKM Malaysia build a new self-development centre (DBD) in the Northern region of the state.
She revealed that in 2020, a total of 237 homeless profiles were recorded in Sarawak by the Ministry of Social Development and the State Welfare Department JKMS, consisting of 194 men and 43 women.
“In 2021, there are a total of 158 people (148 men and 10 women). Of that number, 38 per cent of the homeless in 2020 and 2021 have mental health issues or problems,” he said.
Among those accompanying Fatimah during the operation was Sarawak State Welfare director Noriah Ahmad. — DayakDaily
