26-05-2025
No clean bill of health for B40 due to financial woes
Most valuable asset: Families going for health check-ups at the Dharma Health carnival at SJKT Azad, Jln Kebun Bunga in George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: A sense of disappointment hung over medical professionals running free health checks for mainly the B40 group at a health carnival here, and it is nothing new for them.
Once again, most of those who turned up showed signs they were dealing with at least one non-communicable disease.
'Four to five out of every 10 who came showed signs of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, chronic lung ailments or hypertension. It is common.
'This is largely due to their socioeconomic struggles. They're too busy making ends meet to prioritise their health.
'Many had sleep deprivation, poor diets, lacked exercise and did not go for regular check-ups due to financial or time constraints,' said Dr S. Jeyashree, who is the Mitta For Life Cancer Counselling Centre chairman.
She was the coordinator of the Dharma Health Carnival at SJKT Azad in Jalan Kebun Bunga yesterday.
Organised by the Malaysia Hindudharma Mamandram Penang branch, the carnival offered basic medical screenings alongside a variety of other health services, including pap smears, breast examinations, vision and cataract tests, physiotherapy and consultations on nutrition and mental health.
The four-hour event, which aimed to attract 180 visitors, saw more than 200 people from diverse backgrounds turn up within the first hour alone.
Meanwhile, retired civil servant Jerry Chen, 65, reflects on his early years with deep regret as he now battles declining health.
Chen, who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 31 in 1991, attributes his condition to unhealthy lifestyle choices and poor dietary habits.
School senior assistant D. Jayah, 62, is recovering from a stroke she believes was brought on by stress.
'During the Covid-19 lockdown, many of us were confined at home and I had to conduct online classes for students with special needs.
'The movement control order period was overwhelming and I neglected my own well-being.
'One morning, I felt numbness on the left side of my body and after seeking medical help, I was diagnosed with a stroke.
'Fortunately, it was mild. I maintained a positive mindset by going outdoors more often to stay active,' said Jayah, who is now on the road to recovery.
