Medical care for evacuated villagers

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KOTA KINABALU: The Health Ministry has taken steps to provide health services to the villagers currently taking shelter at evacuation centres in Lahad Datu.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin yesterday disclosed that medical teams from Lahad Datu Health Department had been sent to three of the evacuation centres on March 7 and 8.

The teams provided medical care to those in the evacuation centers including immunization and checkups for expectant mothers.

Control measures on health were also taken, she said adding that the ministry had provided 18 prefabricated toilets at these temporary shelters.

“The medical teams will visit the centres every day until a proper temporary clinic can be set up at the shelters,” she said adding that the ministry had also undertaken to have two psychiatrists based in Lahad Datu Hospital starting yesterday, March 9.

“Our ministry has contacted the health department in Lahad Datu on the health condition of those at the evacuation centres and to keep monitoring their situation from time to time,” she said at a press conference at the handing-over of donation to widows of the fallen heroes who were killed in shootouts with gunmen at Kampung Sri Jaya Simunul in Semporna recently.

Among those present to hand over the donations were Head of State’s spouse Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni, Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Salleh Mat Rashid, State Deputy Commissioner of Police SAC II Datuk Tan Kok Liang, Malaysia Police Association Welfare (Perkep) chairwoman Puan Sri Suriati Mohamed Sobri, Sabah Perkep chairwoman Datin Alauyah Mohamed and Sabah Puteri Umno chief Musliati Muslimin.

Meanwhile, Rosnah said Puteri Umno Malaysia would organize a humanitarian visit to the three evacuation centres, namely Cenderawasih, Embara Budi and Fajar Harapan community halls in Lahad Datu soon.

She said the purpose of the visit was to provide humanitarian assistance such as food contributions and other essential items.

“We are very concerned about what happened in Lahad Datu, and therefore, have decided to go to the evacuation centres to observe the situation, in addition to providing humanitarian aid,” she said.

Earlier, Rosnah handed over donations to the three widows, namely Sumiati Suarah (widow of Sergeant Major Baharin Hamid), Sitti Bandorah Mahalil (widow of Sergeant Major Abdul Aziz Sarikon) and Marlinah @ Marunah Utan (widow of Sergeant Salam Togiran).

They also received donations from Norlidah, Suriati (representing Perkep Bukit Aman), Alauyah (representing Perkep Sabah) and Musliati (representing Sabah Puteri Umno).