TB awareness talk for Penampang villagers
PENAMPANG: The Sabah Anti-Tuberculosis Association (Sabata), Penampang Branch joined the Junior Chamber International, (JCI) Penampang and St John s Ambulance in their community health project at Kampung Buayan, Moyog, Penampang on August 25. The participating members and supplies were kindly transported by 23 four-wheel drive vehicles.
Sabata Penampang was led by deputy chairman Franky Lobinjang treasurer Dina Marius, committee member Dr Edwin Bosi and member Herman Thomlon.
Dina is a health officer of Penampang and president of JCI Penampang. Herman is a retired medical staff and had gone on many tours of duty in Kampung Buayan.
At the event, Bosi gave a talk on TB awareness to a group of villagers assisted by Dina and Herman. It was confirmed by Dina that there were a few cases of TB in Kampung Buayan. Except for one, the other cases have been resolved.
“We have emphasized to the villagers that TB is not selective and everyone is susceptible including infants. We stressed on the importance of getting a check-up in the nearest polyclinics, and, if infected, to diligently take the antibiotics for six months uninterrupted. They are also informed that TB is a community disease and everyone is responsible to his or her community by being free of TB,” said Bosi.
He told the villagers that Sabata is an NGO which assists the Health Department to create awareness of TB, facilitate the detection of TB cases and to assist TB patients by providing treatment and transport allowances. These two allowances come up to about RM450 per patient.
Sabata depends on government grant and the generosity of the public in terms of funding.
As a highlight of the event, Dina presented ten 5 kg bag of rice to those who were able to answer questions about TB. The rice was donated by Sabata Penampang member Goldie Sibidol.