Shahrizat Calls For Geriatric Ward In Hospitals

PENANG, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will discuss with the Health Ministry the setting up of a geriatric ward in government hospitals in the country to cater for senior citizens, Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said Thursday.
So far only the Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and university hospitals had the facility, she said.
"I will discuss with Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek for his ministry to include allocation for geriatric wards in its planning," she told reporters after launching an international conference of the Asean Non-Governmental Organisations Coalition on Ageing here.
Shahrizat said all hospitals should have the facility for the benefit of the senior citizens who would, otherwise, have to go from one place to another when seeking treatment at hospitals.
She said there was a need to have such wards considering the anticipated increase in the population of senior citizens, from about 1.8 million now to 3.8 million in 2020.
With the growth in the number of senior citizens, she said, there was a need to have more doctors specialised in geriatrics because there were only four in the country at present.
She said doctors should be encouraged to further their studies by specialising in the field.