KUCHING: Community partnerships are strengthening preventive healthcare in Kuching South as Kuching South City Council (MBKS) expands its free health screening programme to encourage early detection and healthier living.
MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the council’s Health Screening Programme 4.0 is being expanded across the MBKS area to bring preventive healthcare services closer to residents.
He said the programme began at MBKS, before continuing in Kenyalang and Bintawa, with the latest session held at the current venue.
“Looking at the surroundings, you can see this is very near the KMC flats, where many lower-income families live.
“As outlined under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, no one should be left behind. We are now here, and we will continue to mobilise our efforts throughout the MBKS area,” he told reporters when officiating the health screening programme at Song Kheng Hai Foodcourt Basement here today (July 26).
Wee said the initiative reflected strong collaboration between MBKS, Borneo Medical Centre (BMC), Diabetes Malaysia, the Lions Club of Kuching North, volunteers and the local community in bringing healthcare services closer to the people.
He praised the Lions Club for involving its Leo members, saying the programme not only provided community service but also nurtured the spirit of volunteerism among young people.
He added that all health screening facilities and equipment were contributed free of charge by the partners, while retired doctors also volunteered their time to provide medical consultations alongside members of the Lions Club and Diabetes Malaysia.
“If you are thinking of a caring, loving and peaceful society, everybody has a role to play. Every contribution counts in making Sarawak stronger,” he added.
Looking ahead, Wee said the programme would be extended to schools to reach teachers and parents who often neglect their own health because of their responsibilities.
“Sometimes they neglect their health because of their duties. So we try to do whatever we can. We want to make sure that everybody in Sarawak will be taken care of,” he said.
He added that MBKS would continue organising the programme and extend operating hours whenever necessary to accommodate residents seeking health screenings.
“We believe that prevention is much better than cure. If you discover your illness earlier, you can get the necessary medication to control it. I believe that many illnesses, if detected early, can prevent a lot of things from happening to you,” he said.
