TAWAU: Sabah Welfare Services Department has introduced the Program Merpati, an initiative aimed at helping working individuals balance their caregiving responsibilities for elderly parents while managing their daily jobs.
Assistant Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing minister Datuk Rina Jainal said the programme is designed to ease the burden of those facing time constraints in ensuring proper care for their elderly dependants.
“Program Merpati serves as a day-care and overnight care centre for senior citizens. It is open to the public, especially for those who wish to send their parents or elderly dependants to be cared for while they are at work,” she was quoted in Sabah Information department's press release after the launch of the programme by the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Kebajikan Am Sabah at Rumah Warga Tua Air Panas on Tuesday.
Rina said the initiative is particularly relevant for residents in Tawau, where many are part of the workforce and require reliable support in managing their caregiving responsibilities.
For now, five elderly individuals in Tawau have been registered under the programme. The number is currently being managed to maintain the quality of care, with plans to potentially expand the initiative to other districts in Sabah.
Rina also noted that the pilot project offers affordable rates, charging as low as RM10 per day and RM30 for overnight care, making it accessible and practical for most families.
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