GEORGE TOWN: The two female caregivers remanded in connection with the death of a four-month-old baby did not have the mandatory Permata Childcare Course (KAP) training, said state Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim.
"The two caregivers who have been remanded to assist with investigations into the death of the four-month-old baby boy were found not to have taken the Permata Care Course (KAP) as required.
"The two women were among the caregivers working at the childcare centre in Seberang Jaya Hospital when the incident was reported on March 9.
"From inspection, it was found that the childcare centre was operating legally and complied with registration requirements," she said during a press conference held at her office in Komtar on Thursday (March 12).
It was reported on Monday (March 9) that four-month-old Hayl Haarith Mohd Syafaeez died after being found unresponsive at a 24-hour childcare centre located within the grounds of Seberang Jaya Hospital.
Two employees at the centre have since been remanded to assist in investigations.
Lim said further inspection found several issues related to shift management and compliance with the KAP training requirements among caregivers on duty.
“This childcare centre is registered and complies with the set conditions, but the two caregivers who are currently being detained by the police were found not to have taken the Permata Care Course as required for daycare caregivers.
"Failure to attend the course was a serious matter as the course is aimed at ensuring that caregivers have the skills and basic knowledge in handling babies and children in daycare centres," she said.
Lim said the childcare centre has been operating for about four years and has seven caregivers who are still in the process of completing their KAP.
She said the centre had 44 children under the age of four, including the victim, all of whom were children of hospital staff.
She said no official complaints had been received against the childcare centre before the incident was reported.
"This particular childcare centre has been ordered to temporarily cease operations to give the police time to conduct their investigation," she said.
The Welfare Department is assisting parents to place the children in other childcare centres.
