Sarawak aims to establish 9 new OSEICs by 2030

KUCHING, 14 September: Sarawak aims to establish nine more One-Stop Early Intervention Centres (OSEIC) by 2030 in order to expand the service reach to more areas of the state.

Sarawak Minister of Women, Child Development and Community Welfare Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said that as of 31 December 2025, a total of 745 children have received early intervention services including 673 children in Kuching while the rest are receiving services at OSEIC Dalat.

According to him, OSEIC services include diagnosis, early intervention, rehabilitation, therapy and support for children with special needs.

"Early intervention is important because the earlier children receive appropriate support, the greater their chances of developing communication skills, learning, social as well as everyday life skills", he said speaking at Officiating The KATSN The Gifted Art Gallery 2026 in Plaza Merdeka here today.

In addition to the expansion of initial intervention services, the Government of Sarawak has also approved RM30 million under 13th Malaysia Plan for the first phase development of Sarawak Special Needs Community Centre (SNCC) in Samarahan.

The centre is expected to be completed by May 2028 and designed as a lifelong support hub covering early intervention, rehabilitation, skills development, vocational training, talent development, job preparation as well as long-term support and housing.

Meanwhile, KATSN Advisor, Dato' Sim Kiang Chiok said that efforts to empower special needs people should go beyond the art field, instead focusing on developing practical skills and self-sufficient living.

"Our task is not to make everyone equal, but to identify what each individual can do well and help them develop it", he said.

According to him, KATSN is developing the KATSN Development Program based on four main milestones: awareness, development, information sharing and community involvement, in addition to providing training such as food preparation, money management, self-sufficient living skills and communication.

KATSN also develops initiatives through Gifted Stations such as Gifted Kitchen, Gifted Handmade, Gifted Art, Gifted Athletes and Gifted Sewing, which aim to help individuals with special needs acquire practical skills, self-confidence and employment opportunities. - TVS