GETTING THINGS READY: Dr. Toh (right finalizing details with Liza to ensure success of the HAP held as part of the 3rd State level Special Olympics in Miri starting today.
MIRI: Organisers of third Special Olympics (SO) Sarawak state games in Miri are expecting over 200 athletes to participate in the Healthy Athletes Programme (HAP) which is on tomorrow.
The regional clinical advisor for HAP, Dr Toh Teck Hock is leading 70 medical specialists and doctors plus 20 volunteers to conduct the programme which is opened to athletes from Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Limbang and host Miri.
The programme is on from 8am to 5pm on Saturday and on Sunday from 8am to 10am, at the Miri Chapter of the Malaysian
Red Crescent Hall and the Sunflower Centre, at Jalan Bulan Sabit.
According to him, those helping in the programme are doctors, ENT surgeons, optometrist, nutritionists, dietitians, dental surgeon, orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, eye specialists, sport physicians, medical officers and nurses.
“HAP is specially designed for SO athletes to improve their health and fitness leading to enhanced well-being, quality of life and performance in sports. Athletes can receive a variety of health assessments from head to toes, as well as services in a welcoming and fun environment,” said Dr Toh.
He said the HAP was conducted because those with intellectual and developmental disabilities were found to have 40 percent more risk of preventable secondary health conditions such as obesity, poor fitness, nutritional deficits, untreated or poorly treated vision, dental, hearing and podiatric problems.
“Although it benefit only 200 athletes, at least it is a start especially in Miri City which is having an estimated 3 percent or 9,000 out of the total 300,000 population are people with special needs,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He urged the athlete’s coaches, teachers and parents to make full use of the programme.
“Coaches and family members should accompany their athletes where they can observe the screenings, receive information and education regarding health care components that can improve their performance,” he said.
Dr. Toh, also Paediatrician & Head of Clinical Research Centre of Sibu Hospital said the programme is free of charge and apart from that, there will also be Train-The-Trainer (TTT) Training programme to be held today aimed to recruit and train more volunteers.