Sir, this year's Budget has seen an increase in the social assistance rendered to low-income families, especially in terms of education subsidies. My deep concern goes for a particular segment of the community, those who are divorced (they can be either men or women) and in most cases having to fend for themselves and having to look after and single-handedly raise their young children and oftentimes more than one child. I met a resident who was recently divorced (as her husband abandoned her for another woman and went overseas) and had two very young children, she had nowhere to go and no monies and thus had to live with her mother-in-law. They did not get along well and she was treated harshly. She had to bite the bullet and endure the emotional torture. This is but one example. Can we provide more support systems both from a policy and programmes level for this vulnerable group in view of the increasing demands of raising children and ever-increasing costs of living?
In a similar vein, we have cases of women, children being abused and are victims of family violence. And I mean beating from spouse and also cases of ill-treatment by in-laws. There are also cases where the entire family (husband, wife and young kids) being tormented by their parents-in-law, both physically and emotionally. There is a limit which the various NGOs, Religious and Self-Help Groups can sustain and I foresee the imperative for government intervention in the set-up of more temporary shelters for wives, husbands, children and even entire families for them to rebuild their lives. This will also help to combat juvenile delinquency and keep the children off the streets.
Separately, with an ageing population and more homes for the aged, how can we better integrate overall healthcare for the residents residing in these homes as they are sometimes suffering from depression and mental illness. Is there scope for greater synergy and collaboration between Ministry of Health and MCYS in the care and management of the residents in such homes?
