COMMUNITY Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya said the Homeward Programme, a holistic approach of the government to popularise services, has been implemented in all districts throughout Sabah.He said the programme involved many agencies and departments to ensure the target group continues to receive the care and services they need.
“At the beginning of the programme, we only targeted 100 participants but since it was implemented we have a cycle of 242 per cent.
“I hope with the Homeward Programme, it can help popularise services for the welfare and wellbeing of the people, especially the needy,” he said during his working visit to Keningau to check on the implementation of this programme.
Shahelmey has visited participants of the programme in three villages to ensure its delivery mechanism runs smoothly apart from checking on the condition of the participants.
He said Homeward is a high-impact programme under the Ministry’s Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiatives which was implemented by the State General Welfare Services Department (JPKA).
The programme is also assisted by the Petronas Foundation through financial contributions for purchasing adjustable beds that are provided to the participants.
“Apart from the adjustable beds, we also provide wheelchair assistance, medical aid and also monthly cash assistance. This programme has the concept of lending basic hospital necessities to the sick, the elderly and the disabled (OKUs) from the B40 group,” he said.
During the visit, Shahelmey presented a unit of Hi Lo bed each to three programme participants namely Raiman Perak @ Sumporoh, 82, of Kampung Kota Ayangan, Saripah Yamundan, 87, of Kampung Tohan Baru and Joseph John Dangi, 67, of Kampung Antolob.
Shahelmey also handed over similar aid to two recipients in Liawan.
