Occupational health awareness programme reaches rural Lubok Antu community

KUCHING (April 10): A community outreach initiative has brought occupational health and safety awareness to rural residents at Rumah Ngindang, Rantau Kemayau Manis in Lubok Antu.

Held in conjunction with the upcoming 24th Asian Congress on Occupational Health (ACOH) 2026, supported by Business Events (BE) Sarawak, the programme gathered about 200 participants from the longhouse and nearby communities.

The initiative aimed to bridge the gap between professional health standards and rural needs by equipping residents with practical knowledge for safer and healthier living.

Participants received basic health services, including screenings, dental check-ups and eye examinations, alongside safety talks and hands-on demonstrations such as the proper use of fire extinguishers.

ACOH 2026 Congress chair Dr Abu Hasan Samad said the programme reflects efforts to deliver lasting benefits to rural communities while strengthening safety awareness at the grassroots level.

“Beyond immediate benefits of dental and health screenings, we hope the programme will contribute towards improving the community’s quality of life while also strengthening awareness of safety practices within the longhouse environment,” he said in a statement.

To support long-term community development, organisers also set up a mini library within the longhouse to encourage reading and knowledge-sharing among residents.

The outreach was carried out in collaboration with multiple agencies, including the Betong Fire and Rescue Department, Sri Aman Division Health Department, Physiotherapy Unit and Dental Unit of Sri Aman Hospital, the Nanga Stamang Health Clinic, Sarawak State Health Department, the Rotary Club of Kuching, and Jee Kwong Optical Group.

ACOH 2026, organised by the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia, will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from August 5 to 8.

The congress will bring together regional and international experts to discuss emerging issues and innovations in occupational health and safety.

Registration for the congress is now open.

For more information, visit www.acoh2026.com.