KUCHING: A family of 14, including eight children, has been warded at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here for suspected tuberculosis following intervention by the state Welfare Department, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the family, who were living in dilapidated conditions at 13th Mile here, will receive further welfare assistance once they are discharged.
"We found out about the family's plight when it went viral on social media.
"Our immediate step was to send them to the hospital to be checked whether they have tuberculosis," she told reporters after launching the Sinergi Kasih Wanita programme here on Thursday (April 9).
Nancy said the family was expected to be discharged by the end of April, after which temporary custody orders would be obtained for the children.
"There may be suitable individuals who can care for them. If not, we will have to undertake that responsibility," she said.
She said two boys, aged 11 and 15, would be placed at Rumah Kanak-Kanak Datuk Ajibah Abol in Sri Aman, while five girls under 10 and a three-month-old baby would be placed at Rumah Kanak-Kanak Toh Puan Hajah Norkiah here.
In addition, she said the parents and four other adult family members will be placed temporarily at Anjung Singgah Kuching upon their discharge.
"After that, we will help them move to affordable rented premises. We will also consider further financial assistance for them," Nancy said.
She added that welfare officers were also assisting the parents to apply for birth certificates for two of the children.
