KUCHING: The Sarawak Heart Foundation has made significant progress in its fundraising efforts, accumulating a total of RM1.74 million towards its goal of RM2.6 million to procure a much-needed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Machine for Sibu Hospital.
The foundation’s board trustee chairman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu stressed the urgency of this endeavour, as the existing MRI machine at Sibu Hospital is nearing the end of its operational life.
“This machine plays a vital role in serving a vast region encompassing Mukah and Sarikel Divisions. At present, we still require an additional RM860,000 to purchase the new MRI machine.
“We are also grateful for the solid support from corporate and individual donors in achieving this goal, in addition to helping to promote a heart-healthy community in Sarawak,” she said.
She said this when speaking at the Walk-A-Mile event held in conjunction with the World Heart Day 2023 at Sarawak State Library here today (Sept 24).
On a related note, she encouraged the public to seek out health screening for chronic diseases rather than waiting for symptoms to manifest.
She noted that the Sarawak Heart Foundation regularly conducts heart-health awareness programmes, including road shows throughout the region, offering free health screenings.
“Detecting these conditions early, together with good management of your health conditions, will allow us to better manage our heart health and beat cardiovascular disease,” she added.
The event, aptly themed ‘Use Heart Know Heart’, aimed to educate the public about heart disease and the importance of early detection as a means of leading healthier, more active lives to avoid heart diseases.
This edition of the event, sponsored by Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Sim Kui Hian, boasted the highest attendance to date, with over 2000 participants.
The event was officiated by the Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri earlier today.
Among the distinguished participants in the event were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and his wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud; Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni and his wife Haziemah Hazland; and National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia chairman Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.
