PETRONAS commits RM1.3 mln over five years to boost rural clinics in Sarawak

Symbolic handover of medical equipment by Norazibah (front row, fifth right) to Sundar health clinic witnessed by Awang Tengah (front row, fifth left) on Sept 15, 2024.

By DayakDaily Team

LAWAS, Sept 18: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) has allocated RM1.3 million over five years to enhance healthcare services in 26 rural clinics across Sarawak by providing essential medical equipment to replace obsolete and incomplete ones.

As part of the company’s “Improvement of Rural Healthcare—Services and Facilities in Sarawak”, the latest initiative has contributed much-needed medical equipment worth RM51,627 to Sundar Health Clinic to ensure better healthcare services for the local community.

According to a media release today, Sundar Health Clinic is the sixth rural clinic in Sarawak to benefit from this programme, which kicked off last year at Nanga Mujau Health Clinic in Nanga Spak, Betong.

PETRONAS Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu handed over the equipment to the clinic last Sunday (Sept 15) in a ceremony attended by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

The equipment includes vital medical devices like a suction pump, an electronic non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurement device, two digital blood pressure monitors, a serum bilirubinometer, a multichannel electrocardiograph, and an adult digital weighing scale with height rod.

Other non-medical items include three high back chairs, six stainless steel row chairs, an automatic washing machine, and six boltless racks.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between PETRONAS, Association of Wives of Ministers and Assistant Ministers of Sarawak (Sabati) and the Sarawak Health Department (JKNS).

Several other rural clinics, including Sadong Jaya, Nanga Medamit, Santubong, and Batang Ai, have already received medical equipment through this programme.

The next handover is scheduled for Sept 26 at Kuala Balingian Health Clinic, which is expected to be witnessed by Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi.

The remaining 20 rural clinics in this programme are set to receive their equipment contributions in stages by 2025.

PETRONAS aims to contribute to the Sarawak government’s efforts to improve the standard of healthcare in rural areas across the region. By providing essential medical equipment, the company hopes to enhance patient care and long-term health outcomes. — DayakDaily