Social work is a crucial service in pandemic times

ReHAK social workers often have to visit the homes of their clients to assess the situation and be better able to help them. Photo: Reproductive Health Association Kelantan

During the pandemic, the demand for social workers has become even more critical with an increase in the number of cases.

“There is anxiety over the loss of jobs leading to other social issues, restriction of movement where families being cooped up together may result in more incidents of domestic violence. Some clients have also experienced a loss of income and are unable to come for treatment, ” says Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)’s Department of Social Work senior community development officer Khalidah Mustapa.