Chua: Labis MCA plans to hold health carnival yearly in Bekok town

 

Staying healthy: Chua (centre) with local folks during the health carnival held at Bekok multipurpose hall recently.

LABIS: The district MCA is considering holding an annual health carnival at Bekok town in a bid to promote regular health screening among the folks here.

Its MP Datuk Chua Tee Yong said he hoped the plan could be carried out with involvement from various government agencies and organisations.

He said 61% of the country’s population were inactivate, which led to various non communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart problems.

“We hope people know their health conditions and exercise more for their own good,” he said after attending health carnival organised by Labis MCA at Bekok multipurpose hall here recently.

Government agencies and non-governmental organisations involved in the carnival including Health Department, National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), Federation of Chinese Physicians and Acupuncturists Associations of Malaysia (FCPAAM).Others were Immigration Department and National Registration Department.

Despite various criticisms made by the Oppositions on the government healthcare policies, Chua said the government had improved the general public health drastically since the country’s independence.

“Our life expectancy at age 57 during Merdeka time, for both men and women, rose to 71 years for men and 76 years for women.

“The government is not perfect, but it has helped to change the healthcare standard and improve quality of life of the people,” he said.

Chua added that the government spent RM10bil to RM15bil annually on medical bills and services.

“Even the World Health Organisation recognises Malaysia as one of the countries in the world that provide affordable medical to the people,” he said, adding that the public health clinic only charged RM1 for medical service.

Ends.