KUCHING: Some 50 villagers from the resettled communities of Sungai Asap and Murum will be undergoing cataract treatment.
They were among 700 who turned up for a preliminary screening for possible visual impairment, jointly carried out by Sarawak Energy and volunteers from Klinik Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) Belaga and Sungai Asap recently.
Carrying on from the success of its first CSR eye vision programme for Kapit and Baleh last year, which saw 86 individuals benefiting, Sarawak Energy had extended the programme to Sungai Asap and Murum beginning with the preliminary screening on March 8 and 9.
The preliminary screening is to assess villagers who are suffering from visual impairment if they are affected by cataract and would need to undergo cataract operation, Sarawak Energy said in a statement today.
“From Sungai Asap, 613 villagers turned up for the screening, out of whom 47 were referred for detailed examination. For Murum, 94 turned up out of whom only five were referred for detailed examination,” it added.
The mobile team of volunteers held the screenings at 15 longhouses at Sungai Asap and seven longhouses at Tegulang and Metalun Resettlement.
By going to the community, the outreach programme shortens waiting time for those requiring the operation.
Sarawak Energy corporate social responsibility and sustainability general manager Jiwari Abdullah said: “Having this programme which aims to aid visual improvement of the communities is a worthy social investment. Cataract mainly affects the elderly and diminishes the quality of life and general functional living activities.
“Nevertheless, cataract surgery is becoming more accessible and we are pleased to be able to extend this programme to the communities at Sungai Asap and Murum.
“Under this programme, the operation is free, and this can come as a relief for those who could not afford due to financial constraints,” he said.
Sarawak Energy CSR Eye Vision Programme for Better Living in the Rural Community was awarded Gold under Best Community Programme category at the 10th Annual Global Corporate Social Responsibility Awards held in Lombok, Indonesia last year.
The programme is supported by the state Health Department, working collaboratively with Klinik Katarak Malaysia, Sarawak Ophthalmology Service, Health Ministry, Bintulu Hospital, Sungai Asap Clinic and Belaga Clinic.
