{
  "id": 14141114,
  "title": "Govt moves to make caregiving a recognised profession, says Nancy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/govt-moves-to-make-caregiving-a-recognised-profession-says-nancy",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-13T06:32:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1554392/govt-moves-make-caregiving-recognised-profession-says-nancy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian government is taking steps to formalise the caregiving profession in response to the country's ageing population, according to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri. She explained that the government's efforts would provide a skilled caregiving workforce and establish career pathways in the sector, moving caregiving from informal work to a recognised profession requiring competency and continuous professional development. Nancy revealed RM3 million had been allocated this year for training 2,000 elderly caregivers, with an aim to increase skilled caregivers to 50,000 by 2030 under the 13th Malaysia Plan. An additional RM5 million was allocated this year to create national care standards for home-based, institutional and community care services, encompassing training, certification and monitoring. These initiatives form part of the Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026–2030, which seeks to develop an inclusive, professional and sustainable care ecosystem. The minister downplayed the need for a dedicated department for senior citizens, stating that the ministry's current responsibilities encompass the welfare of senior citizens along with other vulnerable groups. However, she acknowledged mounting concerns over the ageing population and stated that consultations with stakeholders were ongoing to finalise the Senior Citizens Bill before it was presented to Parliament.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The government is stepping up efforts to professionalise caregiving through structured training, certification and career development as Malaysia prepares for an ageing population.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}