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KUCHING (Aug 10): An estimated 100,000 senior citizens across Sarawak are expected to benefit from the newly launched Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB) programme this year, aimed at improving access to healthcare for the elderly.
The initiative was launched today by Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the 2024 Sarawak Women’s Day celebration.
According to Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, the SCHB programme is targeted at senior citizens with a household income of RM7,000 or less per month.
The programme offers cashless outpatient treatment at designated panel clinics, with a maximum benefit of RM500 per person annually, she said.
“With the assistance of Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains), 75,137 individuals have already been registered under the first phase of SCHB.
“This includes 26, 096 under the Sarawak Welfare Management System (SWAM) and 49,041 under e-Kasih.
“The government aims to reach 100,000 recipients under the SCHB programme this year, with a total allocation of RM50 million,” she said during the celebration at a hotel in Sibu today.
Fatimah emphasised that the SCHB is one of several social innovations introduced by the Sarawak government to enhance the welfare of its citizens.
Other initiatives she cited include the Monthly Aid by the Sarawak Social Welfare Department, a RM450 Post-Natal Assistance (BIB) grant, and the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS), which provides RM1,000 in savings to help with education, career start-ups, or business capital.
Additionally, she said the government has introduced a RM5,000 Special Annual Grant (GTK) for every registered early childhood institution (IPAKK) in Sarawak, and a Special Assistance for Kidney Patients to ensure their wellbeing.
“The Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) is another notable initiative for the elderly,” she said.
Meanwhile, efforts to empower women and families, particularly those in the B40 income group, include programmes such as Women Skills Training (WST) for income generation, the Sarawak Women’s Career Outreach programme, the Female Head of Household Assistance (KIRWaS), and the i-Suri minimum contribution financing programme, Fatimah added.
Also present at the event were Abang Johari’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam and Datuk Rosey Yunus; Sabah Assistant Minister of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Datuk Flovia Ng; Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Welfare Department director Semawi Mohammad; and Women and Family Department director Salmah Jobeli.