By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Nov 14: Baleh assemblyman Nicholas Kudi Jantai has expressed worry over the high number of residents in his constituency who have been infected with melioidosis, a disease caused by soil bacteria.
Kudi said health issues faced by those living in rural areas need immediate attention.
“Recently, Kapit Hospital has received the highest number of cases of melioidosis and [leptospirosis],” he said when debating Sarawak Budget 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Kudi explained that his constituents are still fully dependent on rivers as a water source for daily use such as for cooking, bathing and so on.
“The gravity tap water sources are channelled directly from the rivers near the longhouse. However, the quality of the river water is not what it used to be.”
He requested the government take this matter seriously and recommended that the Department of Health conduct an awareness and prevention programme regarding soil and water-borne diseases. — DayakDaily
