KOTA KINABALU: Healthcare services must continue to be made more accessible to the community, particularly villagers and rural residents who face constraints in obtaining regular health screenings, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic).
He said outreach programmes such as health camps were important in providing the community with opportunities to undergo early health screenings, seek advice from healthcare personnel and raise awareness of the importance of self and family health care.
He said this when launching the Kampung Baru-Baru Health Camp in Tuaran, Sunday (Aug 16).
Hajiji said the state government places great emphasis on the well-being of people at the grassroots level, adding that regular health screenings are crucial as illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes can occur without showing obvious symptoms in their early stages.
“Therefore, health campaigns and medical camps such as the one held today provide the community with an opportunity to undergo early screenings.
“I also believe that the principle of prevention is better than cure must continue to be instilled in our society,” he said in his speech which was delivered by Datuk Mohammad Ghazali Hajiji, Political Secretary to the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.
Hajiji appreciated the commitment of Tuaran Hospital staff, who continuously strive to provide the best services to the community, as well as the cooperation of the Tuaran Hospital Board of Visitors, the hospital, community leaders and local residents.
“I hope programmes such as this can be continued from time to time and expanded to other villages throughout the Tuaran district,” he said, while urging the community to practise healthy lifestyles, maintain balanced diets and keep their surroundings clean.
Meanwhile, he said the well-being and welfare of the people remain a key agenda of the state government administration through various initiatives under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development roadmap.
Hajiji said the development of all villages and areas in Sabah, including Tuaran, would continue to receive attention to ensure residents benefit from balanced and equitable development, including basic development, infrastructure facilities, economic opportunities and improvements in their quality of life.
He said grassroots leaders play important roles in ensuring the continuity and success of all development agendas, ensuring that targeted groups benefit from all government policies.
