A COLLEAGUE asked why I volunteered for the medical outreach programme jointly organised by the NSTP-Media Prima and the National Heart Institute (IJN).

I told him that my brother died of a heart attack three years ago. It came as a surprise as we never knew he had a heart condition.

He had complained of chest discomfort and his son took him to the hospital. It was at the hospital that he had the heart attack. Tests confirmed that three of the heart's valves were between 85 per cent and 95 per cent blocked. A bypass was ruled out because of the age factor. In fact, the cardiac specialist said the anaesthetics alone can kill him. He passed away a day after being admitted to the intensive care unit.

If he had gone for a medical check-up like the one offered by IJN, his condition could have been detected and treated.

I've gone for all three outreach programmes; the first at Felda Chini in Pekan, Pahang in June last year, followed by Pagoh in Muar, Johor in February and in Jerlun, Kedah two weekends ago.

This programme is a worthy cause to support. Although healthcare is mainly the responsibility of the Health Ministry, we can all play our respective roles to help the government.

And I believe that it has benefitted NSTP-Media Prima, IJN and sponsors, Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn Bhd, Takaful Malaysia and the 4X4 Clubs Redah and Kembara. In our joint collaboration, we have brought ourselves closer to the rakyat. More people are aware of what we are and what we do.

In his speech at the programme in Chini, IJN consultant cardiologist Datuk Dr Mohd Nasir Muda said IJN was doing this to bring the hospital closer to the rakyat especially those in the rural areas. "If they cannot come to us (the hospital), we will go to them," he had said. It also exposes IJN staff to an atmosphere outside their normal working environment.

The IJN volunteers comprised their heart specialists, surgeons and nurses while the NSTP-Media Prima volunteers consisted of staff from the various departments. While the IJN staff handled the medical checks, we helped out with the registration of patients, the children's activities and cooked lunch for the volunteers and the villagers.

At all three locations, IJN brought along their mobile unit, which is a re-designed container where the electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiogram (ECHO) screenings are done.

In Chini, we saw mostly children with heart conditions coming for the check-ups. Parents took the opportunity to see the doctors on their children's health conditions prior to their scheduled check-ups in Kuala Lumpur. They tell us of difficulties to travel all the way to the city. We also helped ferry the Orang Asli from the nearby settlement to the community hall for the health check-ups.

In Pagoh, the old folks came as early as 8am to register for the check-ups. Some found out for the first time of having high blood pressure and being diabetic. There were also those who were referred to the Muar and Johor Baru hospitals for further follow-ups.

In Jerlun, many had to do the ECG and ECHO screenings that Dr Nasir had to attend to patients even after the half-day programme had ended. In fact, at all the three different venues, the doctors had to refer several cases to IJN and the nearby hospitals.

But the best part of it all is that IJN offered the service free of charge. I was told the medical check-up that IJN is offering for the programme costs some RM250 at the private hospitals.

All the villagers need to do is register and go through the tests. They are also given medication and supplements. The consultant cardiologists are also readily available if they have any questions.

It is also a good way to introduce children to healthcare. For this programme, children register separately from their parents. They go through the checks on their own. It is only when there are consultations with the doctors that the parents are involved.

They were also taught about hygiene in one of the activities carried out during the programme.

After three successful programmes, I wonder if it can be expanded to include for example oral healthcare and ophthalmology. The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital has a similar mobile clinic like IJN. Also, the National Blood Bank can also conduct their blood donation campaigns.

An integrated programme will enable the rakyat to have access to many more healthcare services.


source:NST