Medical team visits remote villages regularly
MIRI: Living in a remote rural village which can only be reached after hours of driving from the nearest town or city could mean access to healthcare is limited.
Hence, it is vital for the Health Department to take the initiative to ensure that these villagers could have access to proper healthcare and medical treatment.
The Borneo Post spoke to physician Datuk Dr Fam Tem Lom of Miri Hospital on the effort done to ensure that this group of people gets sufficient care.
“Even though there are hospitals in Limbang, Marudi and Lawas, our specialists would conduct regular visits to these places every three to four months to give consultation to patients in out-patient clinics and wards.
“While the doctors in these hospitals are treating common sicknesses; the role of specialists is to provide expert and more detailed opinions and at the same time are actively engaged to deliver lectures to staff and doctors in district hospitals.
Even though there are hospitals in Limbang, Marudi and Lawas, our specialists would conduct regular visits to these places every three to four months to give consultation to patients in out-patient clinics and wards.
“Of course, specialists are strictly giving only consultation and if any medication is to be involved after the consultation, it will be provided by the respective hospitals,” said Dr Fam.
Usually, according to him, patients regardless of age are their main targets. However, special attention is given to those who have physical handicap and aged patients who are bed-ridden. Often, the specialist team would focus on counselling and personal touch to help them get over their emotional burden.
“As for those who are very sick and in need of immediate medical attention, we will try our best to get them transferred to Miri Hospital and get proper treatment.”
Other sicknesses, he said, that had increasingly burdened the villagers are chronic medical problems like diabetes and hypertension.
Additional focus would be counsellingonpregnancyandrelated problem, thus it is very important to disseminate information on these to create awareness amongst them, he added.
“These efforts are made to ensure that all levels of citizens are in good health, physically and mentally,” he said.
Currently, according to him, access to medical treatment in areas near hospitals is quite good.
“The government has implemented an effort to provide excellent care to patients such as adequate quality medicines, social help and wards and clinics with comfortable environment.”
Dr Fam also revealed that the ‘Village Health Team Programme’ is one of the many initiatives by the Miri Hospital to visit the remote villages.
“Once a month, we make a scheduled visit by doctors and specialists to remote villages and on these trips, the usual medication like antibiotics will be brought and given to the villagers,” said Dr Fam, who also expressed his gratitude to director of Miri Hospital Dr Jack Wong for his initiative in providing free health services to the poor patients.
He also gave the thumbs-up to the excellent attitude and passion showed by the medical team.
“Despite the obstacles faced by the doctors and medical team, I strongly believe all who deliver the charitable health services had prepared for it, physically and mentally. Therefore, the road condition or water shortage appears to be not a problem, as if they are more eager to see the patients get well.
“More importantly, it is not merely about making money, but the satisfaction we get in return are pretty much the greatest accomplishment. Our patients trust us and appreciate our help with smiles. It is not easily understood by others, because it is beyond the value of money,” he said.
Datuk Dr Fam Tem Lom, physician of Miri Hospital