SEPANG: The over 400 children rescued by the police from care homes run by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) last week are seeing psychologists assigned by the Health Ministry.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni (pic) said the rescued children, who are temporarily being housed at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol), are undergoing mental health evaluations and counselling by psychologists from the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health and Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
“The 449 children at Pulapol are being treated by the team of mental health experts to overcome the trauma they underwent at the care homes.
“Many of them are in a state of shock and unaware of what is going on,” he said.
The psychologists, he added, are also carrying out activities and rendering psychosocial therapy to help the children cope.
“This has to be done very delicately to ensure the children’s well-being.
“This is a case that has to be viewed very seriously,” he told a press conference at the KL International Airport after launching the Selangor-level 2024 World Food Safety Day yesterday.
Lukanisman said the ministry will prepare such facilities and services nationwide as more children are expected to be rescued from GISB-owned care centres in the operation across the country.
On Sept 11, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department launched an operation codenamed Ops Global, under which 20 GISBH-owned care homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan were raided.
The operation saw the rescue of 402 children and teenagers comprising 201 boys and 201 girls aged between one and 17 years.
With the operation currently in its fourth phase, the number of those rescued nationwide has risen to over 500.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
