BAU – A new initiative designed to bolster public health readiness in rural regions was launched here on Friday.
The Sarawak Disease Surveillance Programme (DSP) aims to improve early detection and management of infectious diseases through coordinated data collection and community engagement.
The programme was officiated by Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Transport (Rivers and Marine) and Tasik Biru State Assemblyman, at the Kampung Serasot Multipurpose Hall.
In his address, he emphasized the critical importance of early detection in safeguarding community health and enabling effective infectious disease control.
“By gathering fundamental data across human, animal, and environmental health, this initiative will establish a foundation for more robust public health strategies,” he stated.
He added that such efforts can alleviate disease burdens and support policymaking grounded in reliable evidence.
The event, organized by the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) with support from government and welfare agencies, also provided free health screenings.
These included tests for tuberculosis, intestinal parasites, blood pressure, blood sugar, iron levels, and HPV screenings for women aged 35 to 65 through a partnership with the ROSE Foundation.
More than 300 attendees participated in the programme, which seeks to raise health awareness and encourage active community involvement in achieving a healthier Sarawak.
