Fatimah (back row, centre) in a group photo with the children, their parents and staff members of OSEIC Kuching, taken during the hi-tea event.
KUCHING (Jan 6): The One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) in Miri is set to commence operations by this June, says Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
According to her, OSEIC Miri will be the third in Sarawak after those in Kuching and Dalat.
Moreover, this programme will also expand to Samarahan, which is expected to be operational next year, she adds.
“OSEIC serves as a beacon of hope for children with special needs and their families, offering services with monthly contribution fees as low as RM50.
“This effort is proof that the Sarawak government is very concerned and committed to continuing and expanding this early intervention service. This is a noble effort by the government in helping parents deal with the challenges of raising children with special needs.
“This early intervention can increase the opportunities for children with special needs to achieve their full potential not only for themselves, but also for the family, community and the country,” she said in her speech for OSEIC Kuching Appreciation Hi-Tea event yesterday.
Fatimah said on its inauguration on Oct 30, 2020, OSEIC Sarawak started with the recruitment of 100 children, focusing on the special needs of autism.
“Now after four years of operation, OSEIC Sarawak has a total of 539 children currently attending sessions at OSEIC Kuching.
“From 2022 to 2024, there are a total of 164 children who have completed their session at OSEIC Sarawak, and continued their studies at private kindergartens or special needs centres.
“For this year, there are 124 six-year-old children from OSEIC Kuching who will attend the OSEIC Sarawak’s graduation ceremony in February.”
On another matter, Fatimah said Sarawak was seeking the cooperation of paediatricians to come forward as volunteers to assist at the OSEIC.
“That is a request. If there are private doctors who want to do their CSR (corporate social), even once a month is enough for us.
“If more people come forward, more children can be diagnosed,” she said.
According to the minister, so far there is only one doctor, Dr Lim Boon Chuan, who is helping out at the OSEIC Kuching, spending once a month on providing services there.