It was the earliest start of our week in Padang Terap today when the alarm went off around 6am. Dressed in our sports attire, we journeyed 10 km away from the DHO office to FELDA Bkt Tembaga, the same village our Dengue Survey was conducted. Today was a day to party and have fun. That was at least what we thought when we saw the banner ‘Karnival Kesihatan 2009’. Nevertheless, a health campaign can never be better even in a small village like Bkt Tembaga.
After waiting for almost one hour, we were greeted by three active ladies who announced for the start of the campaign, an aerobic session. The first impression was ‘Who’s conducting?’ and ‘Not another boring exercise!’. However, those threesome gave us quite a shock with a superb aerobic performance which was more like a dance sequence. We danced and enjoyed the 30 min workout more at the end for a duck-hip shake dance step. It really reflected the healthy lifestyle of villagers in Bkt Tembaga.
Around 10am, the story hikes to its climax. There were several booths, the dental booth, BMI, BP and blood sugar testing, vector booth and some NGOs promoting health products. Even the Jabatan Bomba and Jabatan Penjara took the opportunity to shine the campaign. As usual we took turns to take BP and BMIs for the villagers. Some even had the chance to prick few fingers for a blood test. It was a sight of delight to see so many people from all age group, giving their support and getting their health assessed. One of the best experience was to convince an old grandma, who BP was 200/180, to start treatment in the hospital. She actually lived her whole life with this. Again, the campaign reflects the quality of public health in Malaysia.
Lunch time signaled the end of the carnival and food for vegetarians was again a trouble. But we have to say this, the humble villagers were so adamant of providing us with any vegetarian food though we insisted. This caught our hearts with no words to express our appreciation and gratitude to these friendly individuals.
As to end our report for the day, we should say, we were actually posted to the Health Promotion Unit today to learn on Health Promotion. But, a firsthand experience in this carnival has in every way to instill the message we were looking for ‘education and providing health services through health promotion’. This is where Malaysian Primary Health Care stands, and we are proud of it.
PS : We even had a small UNO game session with the Vector guys of Padang Terap. It seems we have successfully spread the UNO fever here.
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