PROMOTING RURAL HEALTH: Dennis (fifth right) getting ready to cut the ribbon to open the 9th Health Carnival Ulu Baram 2013 as Wee (fourth right) and Samling partners look on.
MIRI: The level of awareness on the importance of health among the Orang Ulu people in Baram has improved tremendously compared to a few years ago.
In stating this, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau who visited the 9th Health Carnival Ulu Baram 2013 held at Samling Central Base Camp in Kilometre 10 Ulu Baram yesterday explained he made the conclusion based on the number of Orang Ulu, mainly the Penans, Kenyahs and Kayans who sought treatment either at the nearby clinics, Miri Hospital or at the health carnival.
“I was told that yesterday, about 600 people from nearby villages came here for treatment. And today, I see more people coming in,” he said when officiating at the opening of the three-day carnival organised by Samling Group.
Dennis also told the crowd to take advantage of the opportunity to get free medical treatment from quality doctors and nurses at the carnival.
It is very costly for Orang Ulu to get treatments in hospitals having to travel far from their interior villages.
“For instance, it cost hundreds of ringgit for one to get a tooth extracted, but here with dental doctors from Miri Divisional Dental department and other doctors from Miri Hospital, they can get all the work done without the need to pay a single sen,” Dennis noted.
Dennis thanked Samling Group and Yaw Teck Seng Foundation for their effort in bringing medical services to the people here.
“I have never seen a company that truly cares about the people here except Samling. Apart from being actively involved in expanding their businesses, they never forget about their corporate social responsibility,” he said.
Meanwhile, Samling assistant general manager Andrew Wee who was also present at the carnival yesterday said Samling was proud to be able to play their part in enhancing the health quality of the people in Baram.
“This carnival has benefited thousands of Orang Ulu people here. We will continue to do more in the future,” he said.
The carnival which ends today has attracted more than 2,000 people mainly from Ulu Baram and Tinjar.