BAU: A total of 250 residents received free healthcare services here through a nationwide public university teaching hospital outreach programme held on Saturday (Sept 12).
The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Prihatin Madani 2026 programme brought medical services directly to communities facing difficulties accessing healthcare facilities due to distance and geographical constraints.
Organised by MOHE and the Consortium of Malaysian Public University Teaching Hospitals (KHUAM), the programme involved 130 medical specialists, healthcare officers, personnel and volunteers from 10 public university teaching hospitals nationwide.
The day-long programme offered free health screenings, medical consultations, medication, health talks and educational activities.
Medical teams also visited bedridden patients at their homes and provided rehabilitation services under the Mobile Community Outreach initiative.
A total of 159 nutritional food baskets and hygiene kits were distributed, along with healthcare aids such as wheelchairs, walking aids and reading glasses.
Educational and interactive activities were also organised for schoolchildren and other young participants.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, who is also Pelawan assemblyman.
Also present were KHUAM chairman and Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre director Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Saufi Awang and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit.
As Sarawak’s host teaching hospital, UNIMAS Teaching Hospital (HPUNIMAS) coordinated the participation of the public university teaching hospitals and the delivery of medical expertise to the local community.
The initiative also reflected HPUNIMAS’ role in supporting Sarawak’s healthcare sector through education, research, professional training and community-based services.
