Annual health outreach programme to benefit 2,000 people from 63 villages across Upper Baram
MIRI: The upcoming health outreach programme run by Samling Group of Companies, Yaw Teck Seng Foundation and several other organisations, is set to benefit some 2,000 people from 63 villages and longhouses in the Upper Baram.
Samling Group assistant general manager (group administration) Andrew Wee said the sixth Baram Health Carnival would run from Aug 11 to 13 at its Baram Central Base Camp – better known as ‘Kilo 10’.
“This integrated annual health carnival is the 13th health outreach programme for Samling Group and Yaw Teck Seng Foundation.
“This year, we have three government agencies – Welfare Department, National Registration Department and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) – apart from Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia joining us in this corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
He added that Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg had consented to officiate at the opening of the event.
“We want to bring free healthcare services to the local communities in the Upper Baram where Samling operates, where access to medical care is limited due to their remoteness and also the cost factor.
“Besides receiving free health treatment, the villagers will also be provided with free ‘ return’ transport and food for the day,” Wee said.
Samling established the programme in 2009, partnering with non- governmental organisations (NGOs) and health institutions like Kuching Health Specialist and Lions Club.
In 2012, it engaged with Miri Hospital, Dental Department, Health Department, Miri Pharmacy Unit and the 20th Royal Malay Regiment to run the programme – a collaboration that continues till today.
This health outreach programme comprises basic health screening sessions as well as dental and optical care services.