KAPIT: Thanks to Sarawak Energy’s Eye-Health Screening and Operation Campaign here, 67 patients underwent cataract and pterygium surgeries.
The campaign was carried out in collaboration with Kapit Hospital, Sibu Hospital Ophthalmology Department and Klinik Katarak Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia.
Sarawak Energy said in a statement that the campaign was part of its support for community health carried out by its Baleh Hydroelectric Project team aimed at ensuring affected communities are positively impacted by the implementation of important infrastructure projects and at the same time to remain good neighbours to the local community.
“Forty-four patients underwent surgeries for cataract and 23 for pterygium to improve their visions.
“The surgeries were conducted at the Kapit Hospital over three days beginning Nov 3 and were performed by three ophthalmologists from Sibu Hospital, Sandakan Hospital and the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital.
“They were assisted by a team of health professionals comprising nine medical assistants and 17 nurses from Kapit Hospital, Sibu Hospital and Sarawak General Hospital,” Sarawak Energy said.
Prior to the surgeries, patients underwent comprehensive eye screening at local government clinics in Baleh and Kapit. Screenings were carried out throughout last September.
“As the second series of the campaign since it was first initiated in 2017, the campaign has since helped improve the visions of more than 100 residents,” the state-owned electric utility firm said.
Sarawak Energy Baleh Hydroelectric Project general manager Tan Hang Kiak in his speech noted that community health is just one of the social investment initiatives Sarawak Energy is focusing on to help the residents of Baleh and strengthen its relationship with the community.
“Works are progressing on the Baleh Hydroelectric Project which is one of Sarawak’s largest state infrastructure projects and the project is crucial towards securing the energy capacity needed for Sarawak’s future growth and development.
“As we work towards the project’s completion, we have an obligation to give back to the community. This is one way of fostering good relations with our stakeholders and understanding their needs and expectations,” he said.
Tan said establishing good relationships with the local authorities, agencies and the community is pivotal for the smooth implementation of the Baleh project.
“Therefore, we, the Baleh project team, will continue to work in partnership with the local agencies and communities to carry out social investment programmes centred around education for the youth, culture and heritage, community development and entrepreneurship and environmental management and conservation,” he said.
