By Shikin Louis
MIRI, Nov 7: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged Sarawakians to exercise regularly and go for health check-ups, sharing swimming as his preferred form of physical activity.
He said people should take greater responsibility for their health by staying active and monitoring key indicators such as blood sugar and blood pressure.
“My doctor always asks me, ‘Do you exercise?’ I say yes. My exercise is swimming. I swim when I have the time,” he said when officiating at the opening of the Permyjaya Miri Red Crescent Dialysis Centre here, today. An audio recording of his speech was later shared with DayakDaily.
Abang Johari said screenings conducted under the Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) programme in Miri, Sibu, Sarikei and Samarahan had detected increasing cases of diabetes and other health conditions, including among younger people.
He said the trend was concerning and called on the public to pay closer attention to their lifestyles, including reducing sugar intake, avoiding unhealthy food and exercising regularly.
He also encouraged people to make use of available technology, such as smartphones and smartwatches, to monitor their health indicators, including blood sugar, blood pressure and heart activity.
“Every six months, or at least once a year, go and see your doctor. Show your records to your doctor,” he advised.
He said high blood pressure could also be linked to unmanaged stress, which should be addressed before it affects a person’s health.
Abang Johari stressed that expanding dialysis facilities alone would not solve the growing burden of kidney disease, saying greater emphasis should be placed on prevention and personal responsibility for one’s health.
He said the State would continue to assist patients requiring dialysis treatment, including through the provision of machines. He cited the approval of 10 dialysis machines for Sarikei as part of the support.
Meanwhile, Miri Red Crescent Dialysis Centre chairman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the two centres in Miri were currently serving 319 patients with a combined 114 dialysis machines.
He said the centres had provided more than 800,000 dialysis treatment sessions to over 1,400 kidney patients since the first centre was established in 1996.
Lee said diabetes and hypertension were among the conditions that could lead to kidney failure, underscoring the importance of early screening and prevention.
The Permyjaya centre, which has 38 dialysis machines, was built at a cost of about RM10 million, with the Sarawak government contributing RM3 million and providing the land.
Amongst those present were Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala and Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sarawak Branch chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam. — DayakDaily
