KPJ Healthcare Berhad

Malaysia needs more geriatricians

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is in dire need of geriatricians as the nation move towards becoming an ageing nation, with about 15 per cent aged 60 and above by 2035.

Women, Family and Community Development minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the country needs at least 700 geriatricians nationwide by year 2020.

However, she said as of February, last year there were only about one per cent geriatricians nationwide, comprising of 20 geriatrics and 10 geriatric psychiatrists. "Malaysia is expected to attain Ageing Nation Status by 2035 with an increase in life expectancy.

 "However, we only have one per cent specialist in this field to care for the elderly.

"This is a worrying situation, and if left unattended, we may not have adequate number of geriatricians in the coming years to provide professional care to the elderly," she said in a press conference after launching the KPJ Tawakal Health Centre (THC) here today.

Rohani said the Health Ministry and universities should look into offering scholarships to young doctors who would like to specialise in geriatrics.

She said her ministry was also having discussions on the employability age of Malaysians, where she believes those aged 60 and above should be allowed to work if they were healthy.

Meanwhile, KPJ president and managing director Datuk Amiruddin Abdul Satar said the demand for healthcare services in Malaysia had been increasing rapidly, in line with the population growth, increased life expectancy and a larger middle income group.

The nation, he said was also a major health tourism destination, hence the introduction of THC was timely and strategic.

"Formerly the Tawakal Hospital, THC underwent a major renovation and refurbishment exercise in 2012 and was completed in 2014 at a total cost of RM26 million.

"THC houses several services, namely an aged care facility (KPJ Senior Living Care), a specialist dental services, a comprehensive rehabilitation centre, haemodialysis services and eye specialists.

"Sending our parents to the aged care facility must not be looked at as a taboo. The elderly will be under professional care and receive proper treatment," he added.- NST