14 September 2024
The Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM), Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA) and the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association (APPA) is deeply concerned and absolutely appalled with the recent reports in the media highlighting alarming instances of child abuse and exploitation across the country.
The lackadaisical approach of the government ministries and agencies entrusted with the universal protection and care of our childen is utterly disheartening and disappointing.
As advocates for the rights, welfare and wellbeing of children, we strongly condemn in no uncertain terms, all forms of physical, sexual and mental abuse and explotation of children, which has unequivocally been shown to have devastating long-term psychological effects on children and in many instances are permanent and irrevocable.
Much has been researched on the long term consequences of child abuse and neglect on the social, behavioral, and mental health problems among young adults.
Less has been researched of these children who have histories of childhood abuse and neglect, and who also suffer from long term sequelae of economic distress. As adults, they are detrimentally handicapped in terms of their education, employment, occupation, earnings, and assets.
Like the 21.2% of our children who are nutritionally stunted, these historically abused children, are significant costs in terms of future workforce economic productivity, with a knock on effect on the GDP of the nation.
Our children are our future generation. The optimal healthcare and welfare of our children today will map the future wellbeing and prosperity of our nation. Many of the chronic diseases and sequelae in adults have their origins in childhood. The period from pregnancy and early childhood presents a window of opportunity towards improving our childrens’ long-term health outcomes. And it makes economic sense to intervene early because prevention is better than cure. And prevention in childhood is better than prevention in adulthood.
The Unity Government must invest in our future generation’s health and wellbeing and future-proof the prosperity and sustainability of our nation. The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.
We urge the Unity Government:
1. To promptly establish an independent Children’s Commission.
2. To serioulsy consider the appointment of a Cabinet Minister for children and young people.
3. To mandate the Children’s Commission and Minister to drive a “child health in all policies” approach to all forms of policy development and coordinate cross-ministry/agency strategies to enhance child health, welfare and wellbeing.
4. To address the social determinants of health, since 60% of health outcomes are shaped by social, economic and environmental factors. And in the context of the current child abuse incidences, the moral determinants of health must also be prioritised.
5. To provide holistic care for victims, including medical, psychological, and social support to help them recover and reintegrate into society, establishing systems for long-term monitoring and support to ensure that victims do not fall back into exploitative situations.
6. To seriously consider and implement OrphanCare’s proposal on deinstitutionalisation.
7. To create readily accessible and anonymous reporting mechanisms for both children and adults to report suspected abuse and exploitation.
8. To improve health literacy and advocate positive parenting towards empowering families to make informed decisions, prevent adverse childhood experiences and instill resilience in children.
9. To empower children with appropriate and effective reproductive health education to recognise the red flags of sexual abuse and the how and where to seek help.
10. To immediately rectify the gross inequities in child health, welfare and wellbeing during the tabling of Budget 2025.
Sincerely,
Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
Past-President, Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM)
Dr Mohamad Ikram Ilias
President, Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA)
Dr Zulkifli Ismail
Secretary General, Asia Pacific Pediatric Associations (APPA)
This article was also published in CodeBlue: https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2024/09/16/form-independent-childrens-commission-imam-mpa-appa/
