KOTA KINABALU: The Health Ministry is reaching out to more people in Sabah to enrol in the Skim Peduli Kesihatan for the B40 group (PeKa B40) by engaging community leaders.
PeKa B40 is a government initiative to sustain the healthcare needs of low-income groups aged 40 and above by focusing on non-communicable diseases.
Aeromedical Global chief operating officer Kalaivarmen Naanjil, who is assisting the ministry to promote the healthcare packages, said that Sabah had among the lowest enrolment in the country.
"In Sabah, about 400,000 people who are eligible have yet to sign up for it. Many are unaware of this programme.
"Therefore, Aeromedical, the Health Ministry, (its subsidiary company) ProtecHealth and Klinik Sonia are doing this outreach programme throughout the state.
"We are engaging community leaders to gather eligible people for a mega drive programme like today," he said at the Damai Community Hall here.
Likas Community Development leader Dr Chang Kee Ying said that despite PeKa B40 having been around for a few years, many were still unaware of it due to lack of promotion.
"Peka B40 is a good programme. Most of the time they will do their own (medical check-up) at private labs and clinics or a government hospital once a year.
"Even if they had done blood tests (prior to signing up), they can still get it done again for free and enrol themselves in the programme to get benefits such as medical equipment allowance up to RM20,000 and transport allowance up to RM1,000.
"For those who have cancer, they are eligible for an incentive of RM1,000 after the completion of treatment," she said.
Prior to the event, she said Sabah Chief Minister's special officer Dr Roland Chia had met with community leaders to brief them about the programmes.
Chang said she had contacted about 200 people in the Likas constituency who were eligible for the programmes.
"However, only 130 people showed interest. We also allow walk-ins among the public. We estimate there will be about 150 people today.
"Our goal is to create awareness. They don't need to get it done today (registration and free medical checkup). As long as they are aware, they can get it done if they go to the assigned clinics."