(From left) Fatimah and Rosey ainspecting the OSEIC Miri facilities on rented shophouse in Tudan.
MIRI (May 1): The State Women, Childhood and Community Development Ministry is targeting the opening of the One Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) Miri, as well as Homeless Transit Shelter (TTG) Miri and Bintulu this year.
Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said works on both facilities are under close monitoring to ensure they remain on schedule.
“Our target for OSEIC Miri is to be open this year, so we want to assess whether the project is on track or facing delays,” she told reporters after attending the Sejambak Kasih Gawai goodies presentation.
Since 2024, the Sarawak government has disbursed RM5.7 million for the establishment of OSEIC Miri to provide infrastructure and services for early diagnosis and intervention for children with special needs aged below seven.
The centre will be the third of its kind in Sarawak after Kuching and Dalat, catering to the developmental, health and support needs of young children diagnosed with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome or learning disabilities.
Fatimah, who also visited the OSEIC Miri site in Tudan, said the inspection was aimed at reviewing reports from the Public Works Department (JKR) and contractors to ensure the project is proceeding as scheduled.
“If there are issues requiring intervention, we want to address them because this is a very important project,” she added.
She noted that demand for such facilities remains high, citing the centre in Kuching which continues to receive strong response following its opening after the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said many parents in Miri were also awaiting the centre’s opening, particularly those seeking early diagnosis, assessment and intervention services for their children.
“The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome,” she stressed.
On the TTG Miri project, Fatimah said it is also progressing according to plan, with a suitable site already identified.
She added that both TTG Miri and TTG Bintulu are expected to begin operations this year, noting that the Bintulu facility has been completed and is currently awaiting equipment.
She also expressed appreciation to the state government for funding the construction and upgrading of welfare facilities, including OSEIC Miri, TTG Miri, TTG Bintulu, and the Community Social Support Centre in Bintulu.
