Crucial for journalists to undergo regular health check-ups, says assistant minister

MIRI: Journalists need to prioritise their health and safety in their quest to achieve high standard of works and also to remain relevant in development.

In underlining this, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin reminds all journalists that health is something that they must never take for granted.

“A journalist’s work is very stressful – they have odd working hours like us politicians and elected representatives. It is even said that some journalists had suffered or died from diseases at a very young age.

“As such, journalists must go for regular medical check-ups – or at least once a year – to ensure that they are in good health,” he told members of the Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) during a courtesy call on him at his office in Senadin yesterday.

Earlier Lee, who is Senadin assemblyman, presented RM10,000 to NSJA, which was received by its president Andy Jong.

Lee said the government grant would serve to support NSJA’s second campaign for its members to undergo medical check-ups.

According to Jong, NSJA members could redeem RM100 from the association using official receipts from any laboratory or medical centre where they undertake their medical check-up, to qualify for the campaign.

“As much as we care for our members, the request for receipt or invoice is vital as proof that you have undertaken your health screening at any centre of your choice.

“The receipt or invoice can be claimed from now until Dec 15 this year. Those whose tests cost more than RM100 woud have to pay for the extra charges,” said Jong.