KUCHING: Up to date, there are a total of 2,336 members of Hospital Visitor Board and 14,665 members of health clinic advisor panel in Malaysia.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dato’ Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya, disclosed that during his three-day visit to Miri, Sibu and Kuching, he has met the members of Hospital Visitor Board as well as members of health clinic advisor panels.
“We established the board and advisor panel because they can be our connection to strengthen the bonds between the ministry, government clinics and hospitals with the community.
“They play their role by giving advices and messages on health from the ministry to the public,” he said during a press conference after attending the ‘Majlis Ramah Mesra’ together with the Hospital Visitor Board members and Health Clinic advisor panel members at Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites here yesterday.
Dr Hilmi pointed out that health officers in the hospitals and clinics must design a programme to provide full explanation to the members especially on non-communicable diseases (NCD) that can be prevented.
“We need to give them the explanation so that they can give the correct information and explanation to the public,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Hilmi voiced his support towards Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to introduce a new act to curb fake news.
“The fake news epidemic is now at large especially among the younger generation as they circulate fake news without checking its validity.
“This could cause certain damages and therefore, it must be controlled,” he said.
In regards to the rabies cases in the state, Dr Hilmi advised the public to seek immediate treatment from government clinics or hospitals should they get bitten by rabies infected animals.
“Wash the bite wound first and then come to the nearest government clinic or hospital to get vaccinated. We have prepared enough vaccine for the public.
“As for the private clinics, they must refer bite cases to the government hospital or clinic upon receiving such a case,” he stressed.
Also present was the Director of Sarawak State Health Department, Dr Jamilah Hashim.
She revealed that the patient who was recently discharged from the hospital was a 7-year-old child from Kampung Kuala Serian.
“The patient has been discharged and respiratory equipment is provided to the patient after receiving treatment in SGH for 6 months,” she said.
