Parents of disabled children urged to contact social welfare department

Parents who are incapable of caring for physically or mentally-challenged children should refer them to the social welfare department.

The department, on its part, will then place the children under the care of its institutions.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said, although it had always been emphasised the social welfare department was the last choice to solve problems, it would not hesistate to take responsibility, in the absence of a solution.

"Instead of the children being subject to abuse and neglect or even long-term torture at the hands of parents incapable of caring for them, we should help these special children.

"If the parents cannot take care of them, then give them to us and we will place them under the care of our institutions," she said after attending a dinner function at Sekolah Tunas Bakti (STB) Kuching here last night.

Commenting further, Rohani said if the parents wished to take care of their special child but faceddifficulty, the ministry could provide assistance, via the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme.

"There are 488 CBR centres nationwide. Like I said, involvement from the social welfare department is the last choice because we want these children to be with their family and rehabilitation can be done through these centres," she added.

Rohani said the CBR was set up as an alternative programme to rehabilitation services at institutions.

"The CBR programme is a method for the disabled to undergo rehabilitation within their family and community, as well as interact with the community."