Health programme for Orang Asli Jahai tribe faces challenges — Subramaniam

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Subramaniam (centre) presents the mock cheque to Kota Bharu Tesco general-manager Tinesh Subramaniam (third right) at ‘Medan Selera Bersih, Selamat & Sihat’ Awards ceremony. — Bernama photo

Subramaniam (centre) presents the mock cheque to Kota Bharu Tesco general-manager Tinesh Subramaniam (third right) at ‘Medan Selera Bersih, Selamat & Sihat’ Awards ceremony. — Bernama photo

DENGKIL: The ongoing health programme for the Orang Asli Jahai tribe in the Royal Belum State Park in Perak has been facing many challenges, mainly due to inacceptance, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam.

He said based on the reports given to him, there had been 15 health team trips to the village this year.

“Our programme is there as far as health is concerned,” he told reporters after officiating at the ‘Medan Selera Bersih, Selamat & Sihat’ Awards ceremony at the Dengkil rest and relaxation area (southbound), here, yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam said the Health Ministry’s programme for the Jahai tribe also aimed to address malnutrition among them.

Meanwhile, Health deputy director-general (Public Health) Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said the rare disease claimed by the Orang Asli community was actually candidiasis or fungal infection.

On Tuesday, an English daily reported that the Orang Asli in the Royal Belum State Park had claimed that some 200 people had died of a strange disease which started with white spots in the mouth and killed those infected within days. — Bernama