Sabah News Flash

Sabah as Centre for Respiratory Diseases Treatment

Many doctors from Sabah are currently training to be specialists in respiratory diseases and Sabah has become one of the region’s treatment center for respiratory diseases with state-of-the-art medical technology.  This was revealed by Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah during a press conference at the launching of the 2016 Malayan Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (Mabip) at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.  According to Dr. Noor, there are quite a number of respiratory cases reported in the state and doctors can take these opportunities to learn how to best treat each case, such as tuberculosis and lung cancer.  He added that the Health Ministry is aiming to have at least one respiratory specialist in every government-run hospital and is willing to provide support for career development of health personnel for the provision of better health services to the people.

Public and Private Partnership for Mental Health Crisis

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be tapped by the Health Ministry in tackling the rising number of mental health cases, especially in identifying the people suffering from mental illness and encouraging them to undergo treatment.  During a press conference at the launching of the 2016 Malayan Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (Mabip) at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah revealed that 30 percent of the population are afflicted with mental illness with the highest prevalence in the 16-19 age group and from families in the low-income bracket with manifestations ranging from mild depression to suicidality.

Big Bikers Party on October 1

To mark this year’s Mooncake Festival, big bikers all over Borneo will converge at Miri on October 1 for the Bikers Full Moon and Ride Party 2016, an event organized by the Permaisuri Riders Motor Club (PRMG).  In a press conference, club president Azhari Mohamed said the event will be a whole day affair that will start at 10am and events lined up for the day include social gatherings, bike exhibitions, competitions and lucky draws, among others.  On that day, the bikers will gather at the civic centre and ride to the Miri-Brunei border at Sungai Tujuh where they will meet other participating bikers from other locations.  One of the objectives of the event is to introduce the bikers to tourist destinations in Bakam and to the popular nightlife and eateries at the Marina Square.

Sabah Targets 13 Golds at Sopma Games

This year’s National Deaf Games (Sopma) will be held at Sarawak on September 30 – October 7, participated in by 700 athletes from 13 states.  Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan is targeting 13 golds in four events for the Sabah contingent in order for them to retain their title and get the chance to represent the country in international events such as the Asia Pacific Deaf Games and the Turkey Deaflympics next year.  He also announced that increase in bonuses of medal winners for deaf athletes is pending approval at the cabinet.