Sabahans to get free medical check-ups soon, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans will be getting free medical check-ups soon, thanks to the state government, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He said the state Cabinet had agreed to implement the service under the purview of the Community Development and People's Wellbeing Ministry.

"Initially, it will be implemented in 10 districts," he said during the Chief Minister's Department post-cabinet meeting at Menara Kinabalu, near here Wednesday (Jan 24).

This would be via mobile service using a special van equipped with sophisticated medical equipment to reach the rural areas, said Hajiji.

On other matters, he said the cabinet had approved the setting up of a Sabah Logistics Council under the purview of the Works Ministry which would look into the formulation of policies, management and monitoring of logistics issues in Sabah.

He said the cabinet in its meeting on Wednesday also agreed to allow the use of conventional building material instead of the Industrialised Building System (IBS) for the construction of the Rumah Mesra SMJ.

He said among the reasons for the delay in completion of the Rumah Mesra SMJ was that contractors could not take up the project using the IBS material due to its cost.

"By relaxing the requirements, we hope the construction of Rumah Mesra SMJ will be faster," he said, adding that the design of the Rumah Mesra SMJ would be maintained.

The Chief Minister said the cabinet had also given the green light for the elevation of Paitan and Sook into full-fledged districts.