BINTULU: Selangau Member of Parliament Edwin Banta has unveiled a series of initiatives to strengthen healthcare access for rural communities.
These include regular health screenings for local leaders and the rollout of new support facilities for dialysis patients in the constituency.
Speaking at the Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat (Leaders with the People) event held on Sunday at Rumah Rami Apit, Pengkalan Lobang, Balingian, he emphasised that community well-being starts with healthy leadership.
A biannual health screening programme will soon be introduced for Ketua Masyarakat dan Ketua Kaum (KMKK) to ensure early detection of illness and to support their roles as vital links between the government and the people.
“KMKKs carry great responsibility in maintaining the fabric of our communities. By prioritising their health, we are investing in stronger, more resilient grassroots leadership,” he said.
Beyond leadership care, Edwin outlined broader efforts to close the healthcare gap in remote areas.
A new haemodialysis centre at the Selangau Health Clinic is set to open in June, easing the burden on patients who have long faced long and costly trips to urban hospitals for treatment.
“This facility will reduce the physical and financial strain on dialysis patients from rural areas, ensuring they can access life-saving care closer to home,” he added.
Edwin also said that a proposal for the construction of an Anjung Kasih facility — a temporary lodging for patients and their families — has been approved by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.
“This centre will provide a safe and comfortable space for those undergoing treatment, particularly for patients coming from out of town.
“Until it is ready, the Selangau Parliamentary Service Centre in Pekan Selangau will be made available as temporary accommodation,” he said.
These efforts, he stressed, are part of a broader push to reinforce social welfare and healthcare equity in underserved regions.
