SERIAN: Kampung Mujat here has become the latest beneficiary of the Waja Squad Refresher programme.
The programme aims to ensure no village is left out by bringing a comprehensive health awareness platform to rural communities, providing them with the same access to resources and information as those in urban areas.
It was organised by the Women Development Department (JPW) in collaboration with the Persatuan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS), the Lions Club Kuching Unity and several government agencies.
President of PPIS and Lions Club Kuching Unity, Manjeet Kaur Sidhu, said the programme aimed to deliver a range of support, particularly for families within the B40 and hardcore poor categories, while raising health awareness through preventive measures such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing.
“Through this programme, we distribute food baskets and assess other avenues to support each family. We also stress the importance of health, and today, we are providing HPV DNA testing, which is essential for the early detection of cancer. The National Cancer Society is also here to offer vaccinations, ensuring the community is not left out.”
She said the initiative is part of a broader effort to bridge the gap between rural communities and urban areas in terms of health awareness.
“We want them to be on par with us in terms of health knowledge and access to resources. Thus, we conduct numerous outreach programmes and collaborate with ministries to achieve this,” she said at the event at Kampung Mujat longhouse on Saturday (Oct 5).
Manjeet said PPIS is well-known for its outreach programmes in many village areas, with a focus on addressing issues such as sexual harassment and the welfare of vulnerable groups, including children with autism.
She mentioned that similar activities had been conducted in other villages, but this marked the first time a programme was held in Kampung Mujat’s longhouse.
“Despite being far out, Kampung Mujat is one of the villages adopted by our Lions Club, and our Leos have been coming here regularly.
“This is also the first time the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has collaborated with PPIS and Lions Club Kuching Unity in Kampung Mujat, and the response has been encouraging,” she added.
Various agencies, including the Social Welfare Department (JKM), Serian District Health Office, National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), and Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), were present to provide information on services and benefits available for women and families.
The Social Security Organisation (Socso) also introduced the i-SURI programme, encouraging farmers and rural residents to secure their welfare by participating in the scheme.
About 200 villagers participated in the programme.
