Petronas reaches out to sixth clinic with aid

LAWAS: A sixth rural health clinic has received medical equipment aid from Petronas in its continuing effort to reach out to 26 clinics in Sarawak.

The company has allocated RM1.3 million for this five-year programme to improve the quality of healthcare services in these clinics by providing essential medical equipment to replace obsolete and incomplete equipment.

“This initiative is part of the “Improvement of Rural Healthcare – Services and Facilities in Sarawak”, implemented by Petronas in collaboration with the Association of Wives of Ministers and Assistant Ministers of Sarawak (Sabati) and the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS),” it said in a statement on Wednesday. 

The latest donation of essential medical equipment worth RM51,627 was handed over to the Sundar Health Clinic here on Sunday (Sept 15).

The aid was presented by Petronas Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu during a ceremony witnessed by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

“Sundar Health Clinic is the sixth rural clinic in Sarawak to benefit from this initiative which kicked off last year at Nanga Mujau Health Clinic in Nanga Spak, Betong,” said Petronas.

“The contributions included medical devices such as 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,” it said.

Earlier this year, Petronas provided medical equipment to Sadong Jaya Health Clinic, Nanga Medamit Health Clinic in Limbang, Santubong Health Clinic, and Batang Ai Health Clinic.

“Following Lawas, the next scheduled handover will take place at the Kuala Balingian Health Clinic on Sept 26 and will be witnessed by  Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi,” it said.

By 2025, the remaining 20 rural clinics participating in this programme will receive their equipment contributions in stages.

“Petronas’s initiative aims to support the Sarawak government’s efforts to improve healthcare quality and long-term patient care in rural clinics throughout the state,” it said.

Awang Tengah (centre) examines the donated medical equipment during the handover ceremony at Sundar Health Clinic.