PAITAN: In what villagers described as the worst flood in decades, Kampung Tangkarason in Sabah’s interior Paitan district watched years of struggle for basic medical facilities washed away overnight.
The major flood last Thursday (Feb 19) swept through the village and severely damaged all equipment at the local health clinic, with losses estimated at more than RM1mil.
Furniture, medical tools, vaccines and essential treatment equipment were submerged and rendered unusable, leaving the rural community without access to healthcare services.
The clinic’s health advisory panel chairman Johmen Masandu said the damage was a total loss.
“Almost everything inside was affected, from medical equipment to medicines and important treatment tools. Most cannot be used again,” he said.
Three clinic vehicles were also submerged up to roof level after floodwaters reached areas that had never been affected before.
Johmen said the clinic, which has been operating for just over two years and was still undergoing upgrades, was hit before additional equipment, such as X-ray machines, could be fully installed.
Some of the equipment that had arrived was destroyed, while other planned deliveries had yet to reach the clinic.
“We hope everything that was damaged can be replaced quickly, and that new facilities for patients can be expedited by the authorities,” he said.
Temporary medicine distribution will be carried out at the village hall, with emergency supplies supported by the Beluran Health Office and Klinik Kesihatan Telupid.
For residents, the flood rose far faster than anything they had experienced before.
Village chief Mogak Majupi, 72, said water began creeping up from the road in the evening before surging into homes overnight.
“By the time we realised how serious it was, the water was already rising quickly. We rushed to move our belongings but by early morning, it had reached our bedroom upstairs,” he said.
With surrounding areas submerged, his family and relatives, including young children, had to be evacuated by boat to the village hall.
“This is the first time in more than 40 years living here that we’ve seen flooding this bad. Even in 2003, the water only rose a little,” Mogak said.
Villagers also said many of their rainwater collection tanks were swept away or damaged, cutting off their only source of clean water after the manmade pond they rely on became polluted by floodwaters.
“We didn’t expect the water to rise so high, but we are grateful everyone is safe,” Mogak said.
The rural clinic pictured after the flood that later destroyed most of its medical equipment and vehicles.
Medicines, medical supplies and furniture left in disarray inside the clinic after being inundated by floodwaters.
Klinik Tangkarason advisory panel chairman Johmen Masandu
Village chief Mogak Majupi sharing their experiences after the disaster.
Floodwaters almost completely submerged Klinik Kesihatan Tangkarason during the worst deluge to hit Kampung Tangkarason in decades.
Mud and floodwater stain the interior of Klinik Kesihatan Tangkarason, with chairs, tables and a wheelchair left overturned after the deluge.
