Deputy Health Minister urges top SPM graduates to seize free medical education at Unimas

Lukanisman addressing the launch Jelajah Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat at SMK Agama Sibu on Sept 7, 2024. Photo credit: Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia Facebook

By DayakDaily Team

SIBU, Sept 7: The Sarawak government is offering free education to outstanding Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates from the region who wish to pursue medical studies.

In a news report by TVS, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni stated that this free medical education is offered at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

“For those who have achieved excellent results and aspire to become doctors, I encourage you to seize this opportunity offered by the government,” he said when addressing the launch Jelajah Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS), Bulan Malaysia Sihat Sejahtera @ HePiLI (BMSS), and the One Hour Malaysia Clean Up (1HMCU) 2024 for Sarawak, held at SMK Agama Sibu today.

The tour has visited 15 locations across Sarawak since it began on Aug 15 and will conclude at SMK Petra Jaya in Kuching on Oct 18.

Lukanisman explained that BMSS is an initiative inspired by ANMS to strengthen collaboration among strategic partners in planning and implementing programmes that promote a healthy lifestyle in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

He highlighted that the theme aligns with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) shift in focus from sick care to health and wellness care, emphasising preventive approaches in promoting healthy living.

“The aim of BMSS is to support the government’s vision of creating a healthy and prosperous Malaysian society by fostering healthy lifestyle habits, increasing health literacy, and strengthening solidarity in health promotion efforts across agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and communities.

“BMSS activities will focus on five key areas of healthy living: physical activity, mental well-being, healthy and safe eating, prevention of risky behaviors, and personal and environmental hygiene,” he added.

Additionally, Lukanisman noted that the MOH, through the Sarawak Health Department is working to combat excessive sugar consumption via the War on Sugar initiative, following a rise in obesity rates, which increased to 54.5 per cent last year compared to 50.1 percent in 2019. — DayakDaily