Therapist service in CRCs to be paid by govt

0

KUCHING: Sarawak is the first state in Malaysia to carry out medical therapist services in Community-Based Rehabilitation Centres (CRCs) funded by the state government.

Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah revealed this yesterday, adding that as many as seven therapists would begin their service on Feb 3.

These therapists comprise a speech therapist Charissa Kueh Sing Yi; physiotherapists Nurul Erliana Nordin, Nurhalifah Jolly and Dominica Ado; as well as occupational therapists Ubit Keping, Susana Lihoi and Theodous Rantai.

“We are the first state to provide these therapists in CRCs which is fully borne by the state government, and all of them will start service on Feb 3 in the zones allocated to them,” Fatimah told a press conference after the seven therapists paid a courtesy call on Fatimah at her office in Masja, Petra Jaya here.

The three zones allocated were Kuching, Sibu and Miri – each zone to have two physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

“One speech therapist will be stationed at the Community Welfare Department head office because we are still short of two speech therapists,” Fatimah said.

The State Cabinet has approved nine therapist posts and two posts are still vacant.

There are 3,152 trainees undergoing rehabilitation in 44 CRCs throughout Sarawak.

“We still need workforce, especially therapists. Therefore, we have collaborated with the State Health Department through the National Blue Ocean Strategy in fulfilling those needs,” she said.

She urged the seven therapists to carry out their responsibilities in helping the disabled community in the state.

“I hope they impart their knowledge on rehabilitation to the caretakers in CRCs, including trainees’ parents.

“I also hope parents with disabled children, especially those seven years old and younger, send their children to CRCs for treatment in the early stages to enable consultation for more effective rehabilitation,” Fatimah said.

Also present was State Welfare Department OKU branch chief Armisy Basri and State Welfare Department officer Zureina Zainudin.