DBNA Miri holds outreach programme at Kpg Bidayuh Ulu Sg Dalam

MIRI (Oct 20): The Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Miri branch held an outreach programme at Kampung Bidayuh Ulu Sg Dalam, Taman Tunku here on Saturday.

According to DBNA Miri chairman Simon Ilus, the programme focused on awareness of HPV, cervical cancer and breast cancer screening and was a collaboration with Curtin University Malaysia through its Department of General Studies head Valerie Velina Anaelechi and the Kampung Bidayuh Taman Tunku village safety and development committee (JKKK) and Women Bureau.

During the programme, the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) was present to carry out HPV DNA screening while the Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) Miri conducted subsidised mammograms for those eligible.

There was also a general health screening for the public by Riges Enterprise, led by its chief operating officer Andy Albert Meji in collaboration with Alpro Clinic Miri and Pathlab Miri.

According to Simon, the event was to create awareness on the available health-related services for those who meet the criteria.

“By collaborating with private and government agencies in holding programmes like this in villages, it allows people to directly interact with representatives of the agencies involved who are present at the programme.

“We try to make it easier for the villagers in terms of transportation and time constraints they may face to get to our programme if it was held far from their village. So, our intent is to bring the services to their homeplace,” he said.

Some 30 villagers and residents from nearby areas attended the event.

Also present was Kampung Bidayuh Ulu Sg Dalam village chief KK Jimmy Nyahen Bado.

During the progamme, certificates of appreciation were presented to the collaborators.

Simon said DBNA Miri plans to make this an annual event and rope in more agencies to participate in future outreach programmes.

“The outreach programme would not only be focused on sustaining our culture and education but also help the Bidayuh to develop themselves financially. It will also expose them to government or private sector facilities as well as avenues on other administrative matters and uplift their socieconomic status,” he said.