In 2022 it was projected that the proportion of the Malaysian population aged over 65 would be 7.9%.
Malaysia is now facing the prospect of an ageing population, and latest statistics predict this could set in as early as 2030.
A 2020 World Bank study found that at least 14% of people in Malaysia are expected to be aged by 2044 – a figure that is expected to exceed 20% by 2056, making Malaysia a “super-aged nation”.
In October 2022, the then health minister in the previous government had conceded that 15% of the population would be over 60 by 2030. That would be three million citizens, seven years from now.
However, individuals trying to convert their premises to care homes for the elderly are finding themselves tied in a stubborn knot.
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Many have been inspired by the core concepts of Malaysia Madani (a Civil Malaysia) and believe that ordinary individuals have to rise to meet the needs of the people. But they are being held back from responding to these needs.
The core problem appears to lie in the long and tedious procedures that curtail the operation of care homes as a self-sustainable business.
As a result, many care homes seem to function as unlicensed businesses, often operating clandestinely with padlocked gates and absent signboards.
The red tape associated with renewing or applying for fresh licenses is an age-old problem.
Those already in the business claim that it is the tyranny of bureaucratic procedures that is the chief reason many of these homes remain unlicensed and are forced to operate illegally.
A care home needs a Welfare Department licence to operate. But applying for a licence would need approvals from the district health office, the Fire and Rescue Department and the local authority.
The path towards legalisation of care homes is also often thwarted by neighbouring residents. Obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities requires these residents’ approval as well. But many residents fear the value of their properties will drop and so they sometimes raise objections to care homes in their area.
Recently, a minister gave assurances that her ministry is looking into the problem to provide a holistic solution. But nobody knows how long this will take and what the nature of those improvements will be.
Meanwhile, retired health and medical caregivers, as well as entrepreneurs who wish to convert their own property or other rentable premises to care homes are discouraged from doing so.
As a result, even if someone has the goodwill and passion to set up a care home, it is not likely to see any quick progress. This should be seen against the nation’s pressing need for more care homes, which will definitely become a social crisis, if left to the whims and fancies of bureaucratic decision-makers.
If nothing is done, those who are forced to operate unregistered homes or those who have committed to a plan to venture into this business will remain impeded.
Meanwhile, the need for care homes for the elderly is fast becoming a pressing national issue.
Either the government resolves the licensing and approval procedures soon or takes upon itself the onerous task of providing for the needs of a fast-ageing population.
It is time we resolved this frustrating challenge, not only with speed but in an informed and transparent manner.
Here are some recommendations.
First, consider a ‘one-stop centre’ to provide much-needed advice and technical know-how to facilitate the setting up of care homes.
Second, consider incentives to encourage the business community and retired medical and healthcare personnel to explore the viability of providing such services in the coming years.
Invest in elderly care through technical and vocation education and training programmes. This will expand avenues and opportunities for the growth of caregiving facilities.
Malaysia Madani will never make a meaningful impact if we do not make a move to care for the elderly. It is time we seek credible solutions to make care homes more easily available and affordable.
These steps to facilitate and re-engineer how we manage our fast-growing ageing population and other related pressing social needs are long overdue.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Is the Author suggesting care homes run by private individuals is what Malaysians want. over hère in France and Belgium at least, there are questions raised about privatised care homes as they are businesses and do not care well for the aged. There is also the issue of carers in Malaysia of whether they are trained to do so. It is not enough to be just good hearted and a caring attitude. Just anybody being able to open a caring home is not good enough.