OVER 50 KELABIT, PENAN SENIORS BENEFIT FROM ORTHOPAEDIC OUTREACH PROGRAMME
BARIO HIGHLANDS (Sarawak), Dec 23 -- In a landmark event, over 50 senior Kelabit and Penan elderly patients received specialised orthopaedic care, marking a significant step towards their enhanced well-being.
The full-day orthopaedic camp, spearheaded by Yayasan Kesenian Orang Asli (YKOA) on Dec 9, comes after the success of the foundation’s paediatric camp in October, where 31 children from the indigenous community received vital paediatric treatment.
YKOA said in a statement that the camp, held under the Health Beyond Boundaries Medical Outreach Programme, was held in a remote village in the mountains of Bario, accessible only by a 12-hour drive from Miri or a Twin Otter aircraft.
Orthopaedic specialists Dr Thiru Kumaran and Dr Peter Choo diligently reviewed and treated the elderly patients.
The on-the-spot treatment addressed tendinitis, strains, sprains and muscle stiffness, thus achieving the event’s objectives and alleviating the fears among the elderly about getting to the hospital as highlighted by Dr Chan, the medical officer in charge of Bario district.
Also, upon post-event discussion with Dr Thiru, who is also the Miri Hospital head of Orthopaedic Service, more than 25 patients with orthopaedic conditions were counselled and given a referral pathway, the statement said.
YKOA chairman Dr Andre Ratos expressed satisfaction with that outcome, emphasising the significance of preventive screening to enhance the quality of life for the elderly.
Citing challenges like poor access to specialists, the burden of travel costs and reluctance to seek healthcare, Dr Andre outlined the event’s purpose as being to build rapport, treat, educate and encourage indigenous individuals to seek follow-up or surgical care at district hospitals.
Dr Andre also thanked the sponsors, like BCM Alliance, the Australian High Commission and others who funded the event.
The statement said event organising chairman Datin Pearl Masna presented physiotherapy equipment units, given by Innerwheel KLCC, to families with elderly members and demonstrated their use during the event.
Bario village headman Caleena Sakai conveyed thanks on behalf of the Kelabit community and helped translate messages into the Kelabit language for the older attendees.
The YKOA was founded by Datuk Antony Ratos in 2002 to elevate indigenous livelihood and preserve their culture. It also aims to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the indigenous communities.
The Health Beyond Boundaries Medical Outreach Programme is a series of medical camps that aims to impact indigenous health nationwide, targeting remote villages that face challenges in accessing healthcare by supporting the delivery of outreach health activities and building a framework to curb health issues within each village.
-- BERNAMA
