The Malaysian Insight

EDUCATION and care centres for the disabled are crying out for help from Putrajaya as the second round of the movement-control order (MCO) took effect from yesterday to curb the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

Operators of such centres said there is no special assistance allocated to disability related civil societies but many have somehow survived.

Special education centre for autism, Yayasan Pendidikan Insani’s A. Mustaqeem M. Radhi said his organisation would be closing down one or two centres to help cope with the financial constraints.

“Since the start of the MCO (in March last year), there has been no special assistance by the government for such groups helping the disabled. There has been some general help, but not specifically for us.

“We are not able to open up our treatment centres. We also are dealing with low-income families, so when the treatment centres are unable to open, we have no other means to get an income to keep the centres operational.

“For the past few months, we have survived to pay staff salaries, rental and other costs – with no income from our fees, which are now in critical condition,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The foundation operates two centres in Selayang, Selangor, and employs 10 workers who manage 60 autistic children from low-income families.

“We can no longer afford it. We have tried to retain staff but we cannot depend on the government for help.

“If that happens, the staff will lose their jobs and families of autistic children will also lose a place to send their children,” Mustaqeem said.

If things escalate and the economy does not recover, the institution would have to permanently shut its doors.

“We are now contemplating on closing. If we manage to get enough support from the government, we will not close the centre,” Mustaqeem said.

He added that if the situation occurs, he expects 20 families of autistic children to be affected. His organisation would have to lay off about six of its workers.

“Our employees have at least five years of experience. If they lose their jobs, we will lose skilled personnel.

“Even if we are running one centre, we have to continue. That is why it is pertinent the government helps us.

“Imagine dozens of centres being closed, many families will be affected – most of them low-income families.”

Dr Ghazali Yusri Abd Rahman from the Malaysian Advocates for Cerebral Palsy (MyCP) said rehabilitation centres cost a lot of money to set up and run.

MyCP’s treatment centre in USJ manages around 50 children affected by cerebral palsy.

“We provide rehabilitation, treatment and movement therapy.

“Under normal circumstances, they can go to the rehabilitation centre but when the MCO is in force, treatments cannot continue and they just sit at home,” he said.

The organisation also provides free treatment and education to 50 children with the syndrome. Although the centres do not operate when there is a lockdown, they need funds to manage the specialised equipment used for treatment and education.

“On a normal day when the treatment centre is open, there is a flurry of activity. But when there is no movement, there is no income. That is where it becomes difficult,” Ghazali said.

“Any damage can be repaired. In the treatment centre there are a lot of equipment that need to be maintained,” Ghazali said, adding the organisation needs RM8,000 to RM10,000 monthly.

MyCP and Yayasan Pendidikan Insani are two of 22 associations dealing in education and care for the disabled that have submitted an open letter to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin seeking help.

Disabled organisations from all over the country expect the government to reconsider special incentives for them.

“Specific assistance for centres that serve the disabled is more than necessary because there is no special incentive for private disabled centres in the economic stimulus package offered by the government.

“Private disabled centres also work hard to provide the best care, therapy and education to patients who are entitled to quality education.

“We sincerely hope the prime minister and all parties involved can see this issue from our point of view, and help us maintain the source of income and look after the welfare of those affected at this time,” the groups said in the letter. – January 14, 2021.