KENDALI MADANI Elevates Caregiving To National Agenda – Wan Azizah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Caring for vulnerable groups is no longer merely a domestic family matter; it has become a national agenda that requires the collective commitment of the entire nation. 

The Prime Minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said structured training and standardised skills certification are essential to producing professional and recognised caregivers, particularly for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens, as Malaysia moves towards becoming an ageing nation.

In this regard, she said the KENDALI MADANI programme is a starting point for a transformation that would elevate the status of caregivers and holistically strengthen care services. 

“Behind every person receiving care is a caregiver who devotes their time, energy and love. For years, many of them have provided care without adequate training or recognition. 

“KENDALI MADANI addresses this need by providing training and skills certification to produce professional caregivers who are trained, competent and recognised,” she said when officiating the launch of KENDALI MADANI and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Parliament building here today. 

Also present were Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, MyPrihatin Foundation chairman Datuk Dr Halimaton Hamdan, Department of Skills Development (JPK) director-general Dr Kamaruzaman Md Ali, and KENDALI MADANI chairman Datuk Norashikin Ismail. 

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament, said the initiative, launched in conjunction with the International Day of Care and Support, observed annually on Oct 29, is also in line with the Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026-2030 and supports the government’s target of facilitating certification for 50,000 caregivers nationwide between 2024 and 2030. 

She said investing in caregiver training would not only improve the quality of life of senior citizens and PWDs but also ease the emotional and physical burden on families while creating dignified career opportunities. 

The KENDALI MADANI programme, run by the MyPrihatin Foundation in collaboration with Ashikin Holdings Sdn Bhd, aims to train 5,000 participants through phased implementation across various states over three years. 

The initiative focuses on developing a skilled workforce in the care economy through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach, including a skills certification pathway based on Recognition of Prior Achievement (RPA), subject to JPK requirements. 

At the event, the MyPrihatin Foundation also signed an MoU with JPK to collaborate on competency development and skills certification in the management and care of PwDs.

The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of letters of collaboration to strategic partners, including five public universities, namely Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). 

-- BERNAMA