Stops will be made at Johor’s 56 constituencies, says exco member
MOBILE clinics are travelling throughout the state to reach more people needing basic health services.
Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the state government has allocated RM1.3mil for the mobile clinic programme this year.
“We are aiming for the mobile clinics to stop at each of the 56 state constituencies in Johor. Some constituencies will have more than one stop if necessary.
“This is to have a wider reach and allow more people to benefit from free services such as basic health screening, dental checks and dietary advice given by the Health Ministry.”
He said the National Population and Family Development Board was also collaborating with the ministry on the mobile clinic programme to give advice and free human papilloma virus (HPV) tests to eligible women in the B40 income bracket.
Ling said the programme kicked off in February and at least 17 stops had been made so far.
The mobile clinic started in northern Johor and was gradually moving to the southern part of the state, he said.
“We have been focusing on rural areas as the residents there might have less exposure or access to healthcare services,” added Ling.
“About 70% of those who underwent the screenings were senior citizens who mostly have non-communicable diseases.
“I would like to invite private healthcare groups to collaborate with us in order to have more outreach programmes,” he added.
Ling said educating people on regular health checks was also part of the state’s goal.
The Johor health department, he said, had set a target of conducting health screenings for 200,000 people this year.