KUCHING: More corporate bodies and private hospitals in the state have been called upon to organise corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities such as mass circumcision programmes for the community in need.
In making this call, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said she hoped more would follow in the footsteps of KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital (KPJ KcSH) following its success in organising a mass circumcision programme for the community.
“Programme (mass circumcision) like this is very much welcome. Therefore, it is time for the corporations, the hospitals, or the private hospitals to hold more CSR programmes that could benefit the community.
“With that, I want to congratulate KPJ for going beyond your normal business and contributing back to society,” she said.
She said this when officiating at the inaugural mass circumcision ceremony organised by KPJ, which coincides with the school holidays and was held at the hospital’s compound here today (Feb 18).
Hasidah, who is also the Samariang assemblywoman, added that through the CSR programme, the community or corporate bodies are able to have better engagement with needy society on the ground and understand their needs.
“So, this is the direction forward in lending a hand to society, not only in the state but the whole country.
“For Sarawak, the state government has always been very supportive of the community development programme, which is why I’m here this morning to give my moral support to the children undergoing the circumcision procedure,” she said.
Meanwhile, KPJ KcSH general manager Nurhazimah Mahat said that the hospital’s initiative to organise the mass circumcision programme is in line with the hospital’s core value, “Care for Life.”
“The objective of the programme is also to increase awareness about circumcision, which in Islam is an important ritual aimed at improving cleanliness.
“Apart from that, the programme also helps to reduce the burden of the parents or guardians as the circumcision procedure is offered at lower cost,” she said.
A total of 60 male pupils, aged eight to 12, from various schools undergo the circumcision procedure at the hospital.
The procedure was performed by five medical officers who are from the state Health Department and KPJ KcSH.
Also present were KPJ KcSH medical director Dr David Ling and Tabuan Jaya Fire Station chief Mohamad Meramit.
