Elderly persons living alone in rural areas need urgent help: Women’s Ministry must reinforce its services

Elderly persons living alone in rural areas need urgent help: Women’s Ministry must reinforce its services

MCA Youth Melaka urges the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to reinforce its services during these unusual times, especially in caring and serving vulnerable groups, including the elderly and persons with disability (OKU) in rural areas where their children have left for greener pastures in the city.

During the Movement Control Order (MCO), these children of theirs cannot balik kampung for the weekend to tend to their elderly parents . Who can these senior citizens turn to for help should the need arise?

Prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, many senior citizens needed help (and this was before the implementation of the MCO.)

The government must focus on the plight of vulnerable elderly people and families which require food, medication or pharmaceutical needs, including face masks and hand sanitisers.

The MCO has also drained the financial resources of many especially vulnerable and underprivileged groups. Now with the extension of the MCO, they definitely need the assistance from the Social Welfare Department.

Meanwhile, charity organisations and NGOs may find it inconvenient to provide aid and basic necessities due to the travel restrictions in place. Thus, it is crucial that the Social Welfare Department reaches out to the vulnerable groups.

Denis Lee Han Lim
MCA Youth Melaka Chairman

-MCA online-