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| Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam Source: Wikimedia Commons |
I am writing to you in your role as Health Minister, on a matter of genuine concern to “social workers” in the country.
Perhaps you will remember me, Lim Teik Wah (Jimmy) as we were at one time in the same class at the Penang Free School. I would like to meet with you on an informal basis, with the aim of seeking your support regarding the Allied Health Professions Bill. In the bill, which has over 40 occupations, is a post titled “medical social officer”. We understand that the proposed Bill is on the verge of imminent enactment.
I hope you can grant me and a few eminent social work professionals a meeting, to hear our concerns over this most inappropriate job title in the context of this primary legislation .
The social work fraternity in this country is unhappy with the introduction of a job title being so “generic and vague” Medical Social Officer because the duties and responsibilities outlined in the job mirrors that of a “social worker” operating in a medical or health care setting. Therefore “medical social worker” would be the appropriate and more suitable title. In Penang, I know that the Lam Wah Ee and the Adventist Hospitals have signage for Medical Social Worker. Being hospitals with a history of social and charitable work, medical social workers largely undertake assessments and compile social history reports towards eligibility for financial assistance and other help. Medical social workers also undertake valuable personal case management on behalf of the patient’s family, and are active in contributing their knowledge and skills towards the patient’s overall recovery, including subsequent rehabilitation. Medical social workers often assist in the assessment of disability or for sheltered forms of employment, perhaps SOCSO?
In international circles, medical social work is a recognised job title whereas an “Officer” can imply, refer and encompass any tasks or duties deemed desirable by the employing health provider. The term itself does not convey a “profession” but rather a generic administrative, clerical or even a business support-related one.
In the wider picture, social work is a profession widely recognised in many developed countries. It is a legal title regulated by its own professional body, with practice standards meeting suitable levels of competency and, with social work practitioners fulfilling suitable person specifications for the profession. This statutory recognition and the establishment of minimum standards would then “kick start” the long awaited road towards proper regulation of establishments and residential homes which care for vulnerable sections of our community. The revelations of the paedophile Richard Huckle exposed the frailty the situation in our country with regards to safeguarding and protection.
Therefore, although the specific concern may be trivial to some, (so what's in a name, they say) but our general objective is towards the establishment of a comprehensive strategy for protection and care and a plan to eventually professionalise “social work” as a recognised occupation. Social workers can and do work in the public, private and third sector.
As you may know, I spent my entire working career in the UK, principally in London, working for a number of local authorities in the area social work (attached a short resume) and related fields. I returned to Malaysia in 2011 under Talent Corp, listing my area of expertise as “social work” in the main, but in service regulation and education. I was a conference speaker at a UNICEF/JKM sponsored “Child Protection Conference” in 2012 in KL, involving ASEAN countries.
I have been involved with the Malaysian Association of Social Workers for a few years now. I have been helping them with raising the profile of social work in our country. I hope for, along with them, the enactment of the Social Workers’ Bill, which I understand has been in the AG's office for many years. That is another story which we hope you can help, perhaps for another day.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Jim Lim Teik Wah
Read more about Jim here.
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