10. There are six national Non-Government Organisations for Older
Persons in Malaysia which consist of Majlis Pusat Kebajikan
Semenanjung Malaysia (MPKSM), Persatuan Pesara Kerajaan
Malaysia, Alzheimer’s disease Foundation Malaysia, Persatuan
Gerontologi Malaysia (GeM), Majlis Kebangsaan Persatuan-persatuan
Warga Berida Malaysia (NACSCOM) and Persatuan Kebajikan Usiamas
Malaysia (USIAMAS).
11. The Government also provides financial aid (Bantuan Orang Tua)
of RM300 per month for older persons who are living below the
poverty line (household income less than RM720). In 2012, a total of
RM503,805,952.00 was distributed to 153,258 cases.
Topic 2 – Empowering the Right to Health for Older Persons by Dr. Molly
Cheah, President of Primary Care Doctors’ Organisation
In her presentation, Dr. Molly Cheah highlighted the following:
12. World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised in its constitution
that health is a fundamental human right, where it is stated that the
enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the
fundamental rights of every human beings without distinction of race,
religion, and political belief, economic or social condition.
13. Article 25 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that
everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health
and well being of himself and of his family, in which the provision is
more conservative.
14. Enjoyment of the human right to health is vital to all aspects of
fundamental human rights and freedoms. In the context of
Primary Health Care, it includes the right to health care and health
protection. The scope includes health promotion, screening,
counselling, treatment and referral, rehabilitation and support
services. However in Malaysia, there are less than 20 geriatricians and
only about 500 public health specialist in family physician.
15. She opined that the emphasis of the National Policy of Older Persons
is to maintain the “Asian” cultural norms and values while focusing
on the older persons being cared by families and communities and
remained integrated in society. This is contrary to the policies of more
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REPORT ON CARE SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS AND SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS