KUCHING: The number of screenings under the health protection scheme for the B40 group (PeKa B40) more than doubled in Sarawak in the first seven months of the year.

According to ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd, 16,325 screenings were conducted in the state from Jan 1 to July 31, against 7,274 screenings in the same period last year.

In view of this, ProtectHealth chief executive Datuk Dr Anas Alam Faizli said the corporation was confident of meeting its target of screening over 22,300 individuals in Sarawak this year.

“Despite the challenges in educating the intended group on healthcare, we believe the target is achievable and will contribute to the national target for this year, which is to screen at least 200,000 beneficiaries under this scheme.

“This year’s national target is double last year’s total number of 101,673 screenings,” he said when visiting Yek’s Clinic and the Jalan Lanang government clinic in Sibu yesterday.

He added that in Sarawak, 96,427 individuals had been screened since PeKa B40 started on April 15, 2019.

Sibu recorded a total of 11,757 screenings, although 44,350 eligible people have not been screened yet.

The number of screenings in Sibu also increased by 41% to 2,438 in the first seven months this year compared with 1,726 last year.

PeKa B40, which provides free health screening to eligible B40 individuals, focuses on early detection and prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and heart disease.

“Malaysia’s low-income population faces various health challenges, particularly related to NCDs, basically because of financial constraints. This is why they need to make use of this scheme,” Dr Anas said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/16/on-track-to-meet-b40-health-screening-target