{
  "id": 2704578,
  "title": "Dept seeks higher monthly aid for caregivers of bedridden patients",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/dept-seeks-higher-monthly-aid-for-caregivers-of-bedridden-patients",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-23T02:29:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/23/dept-seeks-higher-monthly-aid-for-caregivers-of-bedridden-patients"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The social welfare department (JKM) has requested the government to increase monthly assistance for caregivers of bedridden patients in the 2027 budget, according to its director-general Che Murad Sayang Ramjan. Currently, caregivers receive RM500 per month, but JKM has asked for a higher allowance. Che Murad emphasized the importance of this increase to support disadvantaged groups in society, despite acknowledging the government's financial limitations. He highlighted the crucial role JKM volunteers play in disaster assistance and as community \"eyes and ears\" for identifying needs and challenges, which aids in policy formulation and welfare program implementation. As of July, 7,294 individuals, mostly aged 40 to 60 with 5,286 women, are registered as JKM volunteers.",
  "summary": "Social welfare department director-general Che Murad Sayang Ramjan says it has asked the government to raise the RM500 monthly allowance.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Budget 2027: JKM Seeks Higher Monthly Aid For Bedridden Patient Caregivers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/general-budget-2027-jkm-seeks-higher-monthly-aid-for-bedridden",
        "published": "2026-08-23T00:37:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Dept seeks higher monthly aid for caregivers of bedridden patients",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/dept-seeks-higher-monthly-aid-for-caregivers-of-bedridden-patients-2706831",
        "published": "2026-08-23T02:29:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Budget 2027: Social Welfare Dept requests increase in RM500 caregiver assistance for bedridden patients",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/budget-2027-social-welfare-dept-requests-increase-in-rm500-caregiver",
        "published": "2026-08-23T04:04:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}