MIRI: Bekenu is to have better health facilities and medical services through the setup of a Class E 1Malaysia Clinic.

State Health Department deputy director (Public Health) Dr Jamilah Hashim said yesterday under this classification, the 1Malaysia Clinic in Bekenu will provide maternal and child health services, and dental service apart from minor or simple medical services and procedures.

Bekenu and Betong are among the rural areas or districts in the state selected for the service.
Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus is expected to launch the clinic this Friday.

There will be enhanced and additional medical and health services for the community in the state.

Dr Jamilah at the opening of Permyjaya 1Malaysia Clinic at Permyjaya Commercial Centre here revealed that a total of 32 1Malaysia Clinics have been set up in the state, nine of them in Kuching, seven in Bintulu, six in Miri, four in Samarahan and one each in Mukah, Betong, Bintulu, Sarikei and Sri Aman.

She disclosed that the Health Ministry has come up with a new concept of community clinic under the programme.

“The Ministry of Health and Health Department are going to set up 1Malaysia Clinic in flats. Usually the department rents a shop for the community clinic but now we have them in flats with a large population,” said Jamilah.

Sibu and Bintulu have been selected for the pilot programme in the state.

Communications Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin who opened the clinic said Permyjaya’s 1Malaysia Clinic eases the workload of the polyclinic in Tudan.

“This is timely with the population in Permyjaya and Tudan increasing to around 100,000.

“Permyjaya 1Malaysia Clinic renders medical and health services to the community in Tudan, Permyjaya, Senadin and Kuala Baram,” said Lee.

Lee who is also Senadin assemblyman said the community clinic operates 12 hours (9am to 9pm) a day, Monday to Sunday.

“The medical and health services is cheap and improves the people’s standard of living,” he added.

With the rise in population and expansion of Permyjaya and the nearby area, the Health Ministry and Health Department are urged to increase the number of medical personnel such as doctors, medical officers and assistants besides upgrading services provided by community clinics in Permyjaya and Senadin including the 1Malaysia Clinic in Miri.