ULU TIRAM: AROUND 500 villagers from Kampung Sungai Tiram and its surrounding areas came to a free health-screening camp organised by KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital (JSH) here recently.
The event was co-organised by the Kampung Sungai Tiram village security and development committee at the Sungai Tiram community hall. The event was held to mark World Diabetes Day.
It offered health checks, such as measuring body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose and eye examinations.
There were also nutrition counselling, health talks, aerobic exercises, hand-washing demonstrations as well as a healthy sandwich-making and colouring contest.
KPJ Johor sent 40 employees, including nurses, pharmacists, doctors, medical experts and staff volunteers for the programme.
Johor Malaysian Diabetic Association chairman Datuk Dr M. Singaravelloo, who is also a physician at JSH, said diabetes was a disease characterised by a state of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), especially after eating.
“Diabetes is a chronic condition that lasts a lifetime. So far, there is no drug that can cure diabetes but the disease can be controlled by diet and weight maintenance, frequent exercise, proper medication and reduced intake of fatty food.
“Patients with diabetes can live a normal life when properly supervised. About 40 per cent of diabetic patients are able to control their disease with just a proper diet and exercise. The rest are taking either medication or insulin injections, plus keeping a healthy diet and exercising regularly.”
JSH executive director and chief executive officer Norita Ahmad said this was the first time a health camp was held in the village as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme.
“We want to create awareness about the importance of health in conjunction with World Diabetes Day.”
Kampung Sungai Tiram acting headman Mohd Shahari Mohd Sham said he was glad that the hospital held the health camp in his village, and he hoped the villagers would learn to adopt a healthy lifestyle after undergoing the free screenings.
As a private hospital, KPJ Johor not only provides healthcare for the rich. Its Waqf An-Nur Clinics in Batu Pahat, Pasir Gudang and Johor Baru are catering to those who are less fortunate. They can get treatment for as low as RM5.
Apart from health camps, various corporate social responsibility programmes are undertaken by KPJ Johor. They include blood donations and circumcision ceremonies for orphans.
The company also helps needy families by donating cash and essential goods. During the camp, KPJ Johor presented donations to 21 disabled people in the village.