SIBU: Malaysians are blessed with an efficient health care system provided by the government to take care of its citizens unlike in most developed countries.
Pointing this out, councillor Robert Lau Hui Yew said even the Sibu Hospital had spent a substantial amount yearly with its 17 specialists here.
Speaking when officiating at a health talk jointly organised by neighbourhood committees (KRT) of Sg Antu and Soon Hup at Li Hua Hotel here on Saturday evening, Lau said the focus on health care was of utmost importance not only for oneself but also towards nation building as only a healthy society could bring about development to the country.
Lau was representing Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming as guest-of-honour at the function.
“However, health is not only about physical health but other aspects of health including mental and spiritual well-being to balance a person thus bringing out his best.
‘Health also helps develop good relationship among people of which I am fully aware as I am a member of the Board of Mental Health in Sibu,” he stated.
The health talk on cervix cancer was conducted by Dr Patrick Ling. Also present were chairman of KRT Sg Antu Dato Albert Ling Kiong Ping and chairman of KRT Soon Hup Loh Ling Tai.
In his speech earlier, Ling called upon members to strongly promote the involvement of local community in KRT.
He said only by involving in KRT activities could they appreciate its contribution to the community.
He cited that sometime in Jan 2011 the Sarawak State Director of National Unity and Integration Department Dirwana Azool stated that KRT members needed to get more people to know of KRT that promotes good neighbourhood, harmony, integration and unity through participation in community services.
He added that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Kho Tsu Koon, also reported that the KRT had increased its strength from 4,000 members in Jan 2009 to 6,000 to date.
The numbers of KRT in the country is expected to increase in line with the focus of government’s transformation programme to prevent crime.
At the same time the membership of Voluntary Patrol Scheme has increased by 110 per cent from 1,200 to 2,600 members.
To this effect, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Maximus Ongkili said that KRT as a social institution for community needed to be active, creative and proactive towards creating a united society.
For this reason the Ministry of Nation Unity and integration had conducted various courses for KRT members such as management, leadership training, and voluntary patrol scheme as well as on entrepreneurship.