SIBU: A special operation was mounted here on Monday night (Aug 1) to rescue the homeless, particularly the mentally challenged, from the streets.
It was a pilot exchange project between Sibu Hospital and the Temporary Transit Centre for the Homeless (TTG) Sibu.
Women, Early Childhood, and Community Well-being Development Minister, Datuk Sri Fatimah Abdullah who led the operation said it is a temporary and short-term approach to reduce the presence of mentally challenged homeless people in public places.
In the operation, 10 homeless people who were rescued were found to have mental problems.
Fatimah said the 10 individuals would be sent to the psychiatric ward of Sibu Hospital for further action.
“They will be referred to the psychiatric ward of Sibu Hospital but subject to the capacity of the ward until their condition is stable and could return to TTG Sibu,” she said.
Fatimah however emphasised that the TTG is not a psychiatric nursing home according to the interpretation in the Mental Health Act.
“We do not have any personnel who can help those who have a mental issue. We always refer to those who know how to handle them such as the Ministry of Health,” she said.
Thus, in line with this, her ministry is requesting that the federal government through the MoH establish a Psychiatric Care Center in Sarawak.
Fatimah said in 2020, a total of 237 homeless profiles were recorded in Sarawak by the Ministry of Social Development and the State Welfare Department involving 194 men and 43 women.
“In 2021, there were a total of 158 people (148 men and 10 women).
“Of that number, 38 per cent of the homeless in 2020 and 2021 have mental health issues or problems,” she said.
Also present was Sarawak State Welfare Director, Noriah Ahmad and Sibu Resident Wong Hie Sieng.
