By Nur Ashikin Louis
SINGAPORE, Feb 28: A delegation from the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) is in Singapore from Feb 27 to March 1 to gather input for drafting a blueprint for ageing society in Sarawak by 2028.
According to a media release by the ministry, the delegation is led by KPWK Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
It was previously reported that Sarawak will become an ageing region by 2018 with 16 per cent of its total 2.8 million population expected to be aged 60 and above.
Considering that Singapore scored high on the Human Development Index (HDI) after Hong Kong, China in the Asia Pacific region in terms of social and economic development, the visitors aim to gain insight on the latest interventions, initiatives and policies for target age groups and the disadvantaged.
On the first day of the three-day visit, Eric Chua who is Singapore’s Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth of Government welcomed Fatimah and her delegation during their courtesy call at the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Singapore.
The courtesy call was followed by a discussion with the Second Deputy Secretary of MSF, Esa Masood and his team. Among others, they discussed MSF’s master plan, including policies, community infrastructure, programmes and services by MSF.
After that, Fatimah and delegation visited the International Longevity Centre (ILC) Singapore where they were welcomed by Tsao Foundation chairperson Dr Mary Ann Tsao. ILC promotes the wellbeing of older people and contributes to national development through research, policies and effective practices in Singapore and the region.
The Sarawak delegation also visited Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (Statos) in Singapore, where they were accompanied by Statos chief executive officer Chew Chang Guan. The study visit is relevant to the setting up of a One-Stop Collection Centre (OSCC) for products by Sarawakian women entrepreneurs by the ministry in Samarahan Division, Sarawak.
On the second day (today), Fatimah and her delegation visited Kampung Admiralty — Singapore’s first integrated public development that brings together a mix of public facilities and services under one roof. It is a prototype for meeting the needs of Singapore’s ageing population.
The minister and delegates also visited the largest urban park in central Singapore—Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park—where they were welcomed by the park’s director Nanthini Elamgovan. The park is an integrated urban development which incorporates environmental and social wellbeing for elderly and special needs groups.
Their next visit was to Centre for Ageing Research and Education (Care), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore. The centre aims to harness the potential of ageing population geriatric medicine both in Singapore and the region through its interdisciplinary expertise.
During the visit and sharing session, policies, interdisciplinary research, education on ageing, programs, initiatives and best practices to improve heath and function of older adults were discussed.
Fatimah said that Sarawak can learn about Singapore’s intergenerational support systems, experiences and best practices and which ones the ministry can adopt and adapt into its delivery services for the local ageing community’s wellbeing, happiness and quality of life.
Among the delegates are Deputy Minister for Women and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister for Community Wellbeing Development Mohd Razi Sitam, KPWK’s permanent secretary Noriah Ahmad, Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) director Adana Jed, and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor Datu Junaidi Reduan. — DayakDaily
