S’wak needs more geriatric care manpower to keep elderly patients from being ‘stranded’ in hospitals

File photo for illustration purposes only. Source: Mbie Debby/Pexels via Canva

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 1: Sarawak needs more trained geriatric care manpower as its ageing population increases demand for post-treatment support and puts more elderly patients at risk of being ‘stranded’ in hospitals.

According to a report by TVS, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the growing elderly population meant Sarawak needed to prepare its healthcare system, families and communities for an ageing society.

“We need to prepare for the ageing process. Everyone will go through the ageing process. We need to train more manpower, not just geriatric specialists, but also the community and families because they need to know how to care for the elderly,” he said when met by the media after launching the International Day of Older Persons 2026 programme at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) lobby here today.

Dr Sim said Sarawak now has more than 365,000 residents aged 60 and above, while the number of geriatric specialists remains limited to four in the public sector and two in the private sector.

He said the shortage of trained personnel in elderly care had contributed to some patients aged over 60 remaining in hospital despite requiring post-treatment care.

“Otherwise, this is why 48 per cent of patients aged over 60 at Sarawak General Hospital are stranded. We do not have enough hospital beds when patients are stranded,” he said.

He said Sarawak must strengthen home-based elderly care by equipping families and communities, rather than relying solely on geriatric specialists.

Dr Sim said preparing for an ageing society requires more than increasing geriatric specialists, with families and communities also needing to be equipped to provide care at home.

The International Day of Older Persons 2026 programme also featured various activities and services, including fall-risk screening, balance and gait assessment, physical strength assessment, sit-to-stand tests, and memory and cognitive screening.

The public also had access to pharmacy services, osteoporosis and bone health awareness, social welfare services, as well as blood pressure, blood sugar and bone screenings. — DayakDaily