By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 9: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has acted swiftly after reports emerged about an underprivileged family in Batu 13, Jalan Kuching-Serian, where both parents are suspected of having tuberculosis (TB), raising concerns for their eight children’s health and welfare.
In a TVS news, Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said inspections by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) revealed the family consists of six daughters, two sons, their parents, a grandmother, and a newborn baby.
“At this stage, we cannot transfer them elsewhere. They must first undergo medical checks at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), as it is unclear if the children have tuberculosis (TB) like their parents,” she told reporters after officiating the Program Sinergi Kasih Wanita: Empowering Grassroots (Third Sector) here today.
She added that follow-up action would be taken once hospital diagnoses are confirmed.
She also stressed the need for caution to prevent the risk of infection if the illness proves contagious.
Nancy said that the boys will be placed at Rumah Kanak-Kanak Datuk Ajibah Abol, Sri Aman, and the girls at Rumah Kanak-Kanak Toh Puan Hajah Norkiah, Kuching. Meanwhile, their parents will be temporarily housed at Anjung Singgah Kuching for protection.
“JKM is also assisting with documentation, including birth registration for two children who currently lack official documents, in collaboration with the National Registration Department (JPN),” she revealed.
A temporary court order is expected after the children are discharged from the hospital, likely by the end of April.
Nancy said the ministry is preparing rental accommodation and immediate aid, including deposits, to ensure the family is supported.
“The family will also be added to JKM’s list of aid recipients as they have no stable source of income,” she added. — DayakDaily
