Sarawak Accelerates OSEIC Miri, Expands Access To Early Childhood Intervention
MIRI: The Sarawak Government is expediting the development of the One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) in Miri to broaden access to early intervention services for children with special needs, particularly in the northern region of the state.
The Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said the project is a priority in ensuring that children receive systematic diagnosis and early intervention to enhance their developmental potential.
She said this after conducting a site visit to the OSEIC Miri project in Tudan on Thursday.
According to her, the state government has approved a grant totalling RM5.743 million for the development of the centre, comprising RM3.047 million in 2024 and RM2.696 million in 2025.
She added that the visit was intended to assess the project’s progress and identify any implementation issues requiring immediate action to ensure timely completion.
OSEIC Miri will be the second early intervention centre in Sarawak, following the success of a similar facility in Kuching, which has received an encouraging response from parents.
She said the centre will provide diagnostic, assessment and early intervention services for children under the age of seven, using tailored approaches based on individual needs.
These approaches include one-to-one intervention sessions, small group sessions, as well as preparation for entry into the formal education system.
Meanwhile, she stressed that early intervention plays a critical role in ensuring optimal development for children with special needs.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Minister for Women and Early Childhood Development, Datuk Rosey Yunus, along with representatives from technical agencies including the Sarawak Public Works Department, Miri City Council, the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, and the project contractor.
In a related development, she informed that the Transit Temporary Gathering (TTG) Miri project is also being implemented and is expected to commence operations this year.
She added that the development of OSEIC Miri is expected to serve as a key catalyst in strengthening the support system and enhancing the quality of services for children with special needs and their families in Sarawak. -UKASnews
