A young participant taking part in an activity as Fatimah looks on during the programme in Sibu.
Hypertension, obesity among conditions found at health screening in Sibu
A HIGH number of children with special needs in Sibu also have other health-related issues, says Association for Children with Special Needs Sibu secretary Dr Toh Teck Hock.
He said between 40% and 50% of the 200 children screened during the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Programme (Sohap) at the Agape Centre were found to be overweight.
“A high number of them need treatment for hypertension. They are young and they are overweight,” he said.
The programme was launched by Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Dr Toh, who is a paediatrician, said 40% or 20% of the children were in need of new spectacles.
“We also found that 70% of them need to see a dentist as they have tooth abscess. Another 40% to 50% have ear wax which needs to be removed,” he said.
Fatimah said the programme was beneficial especially for individuals with special needs.
“If we don’t have such programmes, we would not know their health status and also would not be able to carry out health intervention,” she said.
Fatimah, who is Dalat assemblyman, said those with eyesight problems would be at a disadvantage.
“They would encounter problems at school as they are unable to see the blackboard clearly during lessons,” she said.
The programme offered free health screenings and addressed the health needs of the special Olympics athletes.
It also helped participants achieve optimal health and performance.
Separately, Fatimah, who is also the Special Olympics Sarawak chairman said the 7th Special Olympics Sarawak in Miri scheduled to be held from Nov 23 to 24 has been postponed.
The event, she added, would take place in early 2025 in Samarahan.
“The games have been postponed as Sarawak is hosting this year’s Sukma and the para-Sukma. I assure you that we will have the budget for the Special Olympics next year,” she said.
