Batu Kitang health day screens 50 residents

KUCHING: A total of 50 local residents have undergone health screenings during the first N13 Batu Kitang Health Day at Kampung Haji Baki Community Hall, here today (Oct 11).

Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang said the programme, held from 8am to noon, marked the first time PERKESO had organised a community health screening event with non-governmental organisations outside hospital and clinic settings.

“Normally you find PERKESO working with the hospitals and the clinics, but this is the first time it has chosen to come out and do a community event together with the community,” he said.

Organised by N13 SUPP Batu Kitang with Auriq Global, ARTOOTH Dental Clinic, WonderUS X gxyinsights from USANA Health Sciences and Asia Eye Specialist Centre Kuching, the event offered free eye screening, InBody body composition assessment and dental oral health screening.

B40 residents aged 40 to 70 are also eligible for a comprehensive screening under the PeKa B40 and PERKESO SEHATI programmes, subject to verification. It covers medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, urine biochemistry and an explanation of results by a doctor.

According to the organisers, other residents can also attend and undergo the other checks free of charge, although they have to pay for blood screenings.

Lo said many conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels, might not show obvious symptoms in their early stages.

“It’s better to have regular check-ups than to fall sick suddenly and find that we have critical illnesses, and we end up with very heavy, expensive medical expenses,” he said.

He said the programme would continue at seven or eight locations over the next few weekends, as more people were free on weekends. They include Seng Goon Garden, Jalan Arang, 9th Mile Greenwood, 10th Mile market and Hui Sing Garden.