Premier launches health initiative for senior citizens

SIBU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg officially launched the Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB) here today (Aug 10).

He said that among the benefits of the SCHB initiative is that senior citizens can undergo health screening as an early preventative measure.

“Nowadays, we have many cases of ‘penyakit mengejut’ (sudden illness detection). With the initiative’s RM500 yearly allowance, our senior citizens can visit doctors or specialists for health screenings.

“All the health screenings to detect illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and so on are funded by the Sarawak government,” he said.

Abang Johari launches the SCHB initiative.

He said this while officiating at the 2024 Sarawak Women’s Day celebration here on Saturday (Aug 10).

He added that the Sarawak government, through various ministries, provides care to its people through its policies from birth until the end of life.

“We have three stages. The first is from birth until 20 years old, where we will provide free education by 2026 at Sarawak-owned universities. The second stage is during your career until retirement, and the rest is the third stage,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Well-being Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the initiative was launched for senior citizens with a monthly household income of RM7,000 and below.

“It provides cashless outpatient treatment facilities available at panel clinics, with a maximum limit of RM500 per person per year,” she said.

The SCHB initiative is expected to benefit a total of 100,000 senior citizens across Sarawak this year with a total fund of RM50 million.

“To date we have 75,137 senior citizen registered for SCHB phase 1,” she added.

Also present were the Premier’s wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Fatimah’s deputies Datuk Rosey Yunus and Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam; Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee; and State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.