THE Serian Divisional Health Office has been doing its part organising community health talks among school-going children to increase awareness on the dangers of contracting Hepatitis B infection.
Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee sId the office has also actively taken public health measures to curb hepatitis B.
“Newly notified cases will be investigated thoroughly and close contacts are advised to do the screening test.
“Patients and their close contacts also receive one-on-one health education about hepatitis B,” he said.
He was replying to Dr Simon Sinang Bada (GPS-Tebedu) on the actions taken by the ministry in addressing hepatitis in the Tebedu constituency and Sarawak in general during question-and-answer time in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Besides, he said, there are family medicine specialists (FMS) in both Klinik Kesihatan Siburan and Klinik Kesihatan Balai Ringin, while physicians and paediatricians are also available in Hospital Serian to manage and follow-up these patients.
“Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin can be given in Serian Hospital to the new born whose mother is infected with hepatitis B as part of vertical transmission prevention.
“Additionally, for those who intended to register their wedding ceremony at the National Registration Department (both for Muslims and non-Muslims) are also counselled for pre-marriage screening,” he said.
For the record, he said, the figures for hepatitis B cases in the Serian were 99 in 2022, 223 in 2023, and 76 as of October 2024.
“The surge in 2023 is due to one-off active screening activity. The age group involved was over 35 years old — 83 (2022), 207 (2023) and 63 (2024).
