By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Sept 5: Sarawakians, with an average life expectancy of 76.5 years, enjoy the third highest life expectancy in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
In 2020, Sarawak reported 11.4 per cent older persons in its population (one in eight to nine persons), which is in tally with the national statistics.
This was disclosed by Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah after the ‘The Ageing Nation’ discussion at the ministry today.
Quoting data from Geriatrik Komuniti (GeKo), she said the sociodemographic information among vulnerable Sarawakians (represented by studies conducted in Samarahan district) to date showed that the Malay community take up the highest percentage of the ageing population at 46 per cent, followed by the Iban community (32 per cent), and the Chinese (14 per cent).
The majority (89 per cent) of the ageing population are from the M40 and B40 households, and 73 per cent depend on allowances from families or welfare support.
The study also shows that the majority (75 per cent) of these vulnerable elderly are staying with their families or relatives. Moreover, if they are to be patients, they have an average of three chronic diseases.
GeKo is the first national initiative providing specialised geriatric care in the community through primary care. The GeKo unit comprises a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals of varying skills, including doctors and allied healthcare professionals, to provide holistic and comprehensive care to meet the complex needs of older persons.
On national statistics, she said Malaysia’s population is on the rise, and in 2022, the total population of Malaysia has reached 32.7 million.
“The proportion of the older population is also rising, and it is projected that in 2030, Malaysia will be an aged nation when 15 per cent of its population are 60 years and older,” said Fatimah.
Population ageing in Malaysia, according to Fatimah, is attributable to socio-economic development, improvement in living conditions (sanitation, clean water, and adequate food), better healthcare policies and services delivery, resulting in reduced mortality and longer life expectancy, as well as a decline in fertility rate.
“The average Malaysian life expectancy is 75 years old, where the average Malaysian male life expectancy is 73 years, and the average Malaysian female life expectancy is 78 years,” said Fatimah. — DayakDaily
