Specialist doctors to examine occupants at RKKC

BATU GAJAH: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has asked psychiatrists and doctors to examine the children at a welfare home here who were reported to be caged in cubicles.
Its Deputy Minister, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, said the experts will evaluate the issue regarding "aggressiveness" and the ministry will take necessary action based on the doctors' recommendations on treating the residents.
"This includes whether those who are aggressive can be treated by medication or referred to Hospital Bahagia in Ulu Kinta," she told reporters after visiting the Handicapped Children's Welfare Home today.
Pictures of children living in squalid conditions in the home surfaced on social media recently.
Perak health committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who was present, would be bringing in the experts.
Chew said they wanted to know whether putting the children in cages is the only way to ensure their safety and if so then the department has to find a more comfortable method.
She said an internal investigation would be conducted and if the home has breached any conditions, appropriate action would be taken including having skill training of caregivers to handle the residents.
Chew said there is a problem in training caregivers as personnel keep changing. There are five full-time caregivers and seven part timers.
"There are some weaknesses in the management of the home and we will improve on it. We will make frequent surprise checks ... anyway we have to be fair in making statements on the incident," she added.
Chew also said they would bring the person who posted the incident to the home to see the improvements and actual situation.
The home's chairman R. Sivalingam was reported as saying they were forced to resort to such actions for the safety of the children as some had serious mental problems and could turn aggressive.