Latest news with #SarawakHealthDepartment
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Thirteen-year-old first rabies case in Sarawak this year
KUCHING: Sarawak recorded its first human rabies case for 2025 from a stray cat bite this month, Sarawak Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said. The case involved a 13-year-old teen in Kampung Segedup near here who displayed symptoms of fever, lack of appetite, vomiting, hallucinations, raving and hydrophobia on May 21. 'The victim is being treated at the Sarawak General Hospital and the state health department has confirmed the patient has rabies. 'Usually if they reach this stage, it's really hard to recover... we have taken preventive measures by catching stray dogs around the area and the stray cat has been confirmed dead,' he said at a media conference of the Rabies in Borneo 2025 conference at the state assembly building today, adding that local authorities are intensifying efforts to control stray cats and dogs in the area. He also advised the public to be vigilant about the threat of rabies and to seek hospital treatment if attacked by animals before the virus affects the brain and nerves. 'This year we took 21 cat samples, two of them confirmed positive for rabies... most rabies infection cases are from animal bites and victims should immediately go to the hospital for an injection. 'But if the victim delays going to hospital and the virus reaches the brain it can be irreversible and it is painful... that's what we want to avoid,' he said. According to the Sarawak Health Department, there have been 63,301 cases of dog bites, 57,210 cases of cat bites or scratches and 1,832 cases involving other animal bites reported since 2017 till the 20th epidemiological week for 2025 (May 11 to 17, 2025) On the rabies conference, Stephen expressed hope that it would provide solutions to ensure countries in Borneo are free of rabies. 'We want more parties involved to understand the danger of animals carrying the rabies virus... so for this conference we invited Sabah, Kalimantan, Indonesia and Brunei to share how to tackle the issue. 'We also invited countries that have successfully tackled rabies to share their experiences and to ensure we implement more effective policies,' he said.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Thirteen-year-old first rabies case in Sarawak this year - S'wak minister
KUCHING: Sarawak recorded its first human rabies case for 2025 from a stray cat bite this month, Sarawak Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said. The case involved a 13-year-old teen in Kampung Segedup near here who displayed symptoms of fever, lack of appetite, vomiting, hallucinations, raving and hydrophobia on May 21. 'The victim is being treated at the Sarawak General Hospital and the state health department has confirmed the patient has rabies. 'Usually if they reach this stage, it's really hard to recover... we have taken preventive measures by catching stray dogs around the area and the stray cat has been confirmed dead,' he said at a media conference of the Rabies in Borneo 2025 conference at the state assembly building today, adding that local authorities are intensifying efforts to control stray cats and dogs in the area. He also advised the public to be vigilant about the threat of rabies and to seek hospital treatment if attacked by animals before the virus affects the brain and nerves. 'This year we took 21 cat samples, two of them confirmed positive for rabies... most rabies infection cases are from animal bites and victims should immediately go to the hospital for an injection. 'But if the victim delays going to hospital and the virus reaches the brain it can be irreversible and it is painful... that's what we want to avoid,' he said. According to the Sarawak Health Department, there have been 63,301 cases of dog bites, 57,210 cases of cat bites or scratches and 1,832 cases involving other animal bites reported since 2017 till the 20th epidemiological week for 2025 (May 11 to 17, 2025) On the rabies conference, Stephen expressed hope that it would provide solutions to ensure countries in Borneo are free of rabies. 'We want more parties involved to understand the danger of animals carrying the rabies virus... so for this conference we invited Sabah, Kalimantan, Indonesia and Brunei to share how to tackle the issue. 'We also invited countries that have successfully tackled rabies to share their experiences and to ensure we implement more effective policies,' he said.
Malay Mail
26-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Thirteen-year-old first rabies case in Sarawak this year, says state minister
KUCHING, May 26 — Sarawak recorded its first human rabies case for 2025 from a stray cat bite this month, Sarawak Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi Utom said. The case involved a 13-year-old teen in Kampung Segedup near here who displayed symptoms of fever, lack of appetite, vomiting, hallucinations, raving and hydrophobia on May 21. 'The victim is being treated at the Sarawak General Hospital and the state health department has confirmed the patient has rabies. 'Usually if they reach this stage, it's really hard to recover... we have taken preventive measures by catching stray dogs around the area and the stray cat has been confirmed dead,' he said at a media conference of the Rabies in Borneo 2025 conference at the state assembly building today, adding that local authorities are intensifying efforts to control stray cats and dogs in the area. He also advised the public to be vigilant about the threat of rabies and to seek hospital treatment if attacked by animals before the virus affects the brain and nerves. 'This year we took 21 cat samples, two of them confirmed positive for rabies... most rabies infection cases are from animal bites and victims should immediately go to the hospital for an injection. 'But if the victim delays going to hospital and the virus reaches the brain it can be irreversible and it is painful... that's what we want to avoid,' he said. According to the Sarawak Health Department, there have been 63,301 cases of dog bites, 57,210 cases of cat bites or scratches and 1,832 cases involving other animal bites reported since 2017 till the 20th epidemiological week for 2025 (May 11 to 17, 2025) On the rabies conference, Stephen expressed hope that it would provide solutions to ensure countries in Borneo are free of rabies. 'We want more parties involved to understand the danger of animals carrying the rabies virus... so for this conference we invited Sabah, Kalimantan, Indonesia and Brunei to share how to tackle the issue. 'We also invited countries that have successfully tackled rabies to share their experiences and to ensure we implement more effective policies,' he said. — Bernama
Borneo Post
09-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Rep delivers nearly RM1 mln in RTP projects to boost health services in Kota Sentosa
Yap (left) with JKR officers at Kota Sentosa Health Clinic discussing the construction of new medical lab. KUCHING (May 10): Kota Sentosa is set to see significant improvements in healthcare services with nearly RM1 million in Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) projects being rolled out by its assemblyman, Wilfred Yap. The upgrades include the construction of a new medical laboratory at the Kota Sentosa Health Clinic and infrastructure enhancements at the nearby Sentosa Psychiatric Hospital. Yap confirmed that RM500,000 has been allocated for the new medical lab, which will bolster diagnostic capabilities and help deliver faster, more efficient services to the local community. 'The new medical lab will significantly improve diagnostic capabilities, ensuring faster and more efficient medical services for the community,' he said in a statement following a site discussion with officers from the Public Works Department (JKR) yesterday. He also visited the Sentosa Psychiatric Hospital to monitor the progress of ongoing upgrades funded under a separate RM400,000 RTP allocation. The works include improved parking, renovations to the occupational therapy unit, and a refurbished multipurpose hall. 'These enhancements are expected to provide better facilities for both mental health patients and healthcare providers, fostering a more conducive environment for rehabilitation and therapy,' Yap added. He thanked the Sarawak Health Department, JKR, the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), and healthcare personnel for their support and cooperation in implementing the projects. 'I would like to express my gratitude to the Sarawak Health Department, JKR, MPP, and healthcare staff of both Kota Sentosa Health Clinic and Sentosa Psychiatric Hospital for their cooperation in implementing these crucial RTP projects,' he said. health services infrastructure Kota Sentosa lead RTP Wilfred Yap
Borneo Post
02-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Healthy Athletes Programme bridges healthcare gap for Special Olympics participants in Sarawak
Dr Veronica (centre) witnesses the donation handover from one of the sponsors to Toh (third left). KUCHING (May 2): The Healthy Athletes Programme (HAP), held in conjunction with the Sarawak Special Olympics Games 2025, plays a vital role in narrowing the healthcare gap for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In stating this, Sarawak Health Director Dr Veronica Lugah said the programme is instrumental in addressing the significant challenges that athletes with IDD face in accessing quality healthcare. These challenges, she said, include communication barriers, inadequate training among healthcare providers, dietary restrictions, social stigma, and low health literacy. 'By training the healthcare professionals to conduct specialised health screenings and education, the Healthy Athletes Programme ensures that every athlete receives the attention and care they need,' she said during the launch ceremony at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya here today. Organised under the Special Olympics Sarawak banner, in partnership with the Sarawak Health Department (JKNS), the initiative provides free health screenings and education in a supportive environment for athletes. It is supported by more than 150 volunteers, including health professionals from various facilities under the Ministry of Health (MoH) and JKNS, academic institutions, social organisations, and the private sector. Dr Veronica noted that despite data showing that individuals with IDD face higher rates of preventable health issues, they remain one of the most underserved groups in healthcare. The HAP, she explained, helps close this gap by equipping healthcare providers with empathy, understanding, and skills to deliver inclusive, rights-based care. 'I admire the motivation shown by the volunteers. It is a reflection of empathy for the unique needs of this special group of athletes,' she said. She further noted that the programme aligns with the MoH's commitment to inclusive healthcare through its National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Disease (NSP-NCD) 2016–2025 and the Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities Policy. Participants included students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Segi College, Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, Lions Club members, and other volunteers – some of whom travelled from as far as Miri. 'Let us use this opportunity not merely to offer a service, but to drive a transformative shift in our view of health equity and inclusion. 'Together, we must ensure our special athletes are empowered, healthy, and celebrated in every aspect of their lives,' she said. Also present was Special Olympics Sarawak HAP director Dr Toh Teck Hock. Healthy Athletes Programme Kuching Sarawak Special Olympics Games
