Abang Jo keeps an eye out on robots to help the elderly

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg observed a robot at the Borneo Makers Festival in Kuching today. He highlighted how robots could assist in addressing the state’s ageing population, drawing parallels to initiatives in Japan and Europe. With Sarawak’s extensive territory and relatively small citizenry, providing healthcare and support proves challenging, but technology may offer a solution, according to Dayak Daily.

The premier suggested that robotics could supplement the state’s healthcare workforce as the demand for elderly care escalates. "Technology could help bridge gaps in delivering health services and assistance to communities," Abang Johari asserted. He further elaborated that robots could enhance the precision of medical procedures, such as surgery, and assist health workers in performing tasks more efficiently.

At the festival's opening, official figures revealed that Sarawak had the second-largest population of residents aged 60 and above, following Perak. In 2020, Abang Johari had previously expressed the idea of developing a robot tailored for healthcare, akin to Japan's Grace robot, which is intended to engage with elderly individuals isolated due to Covid-19.