Existence Of 1Malaysia Clinic In Bandar Leila Boon To Surrounding Residents

By HASLIN GAFFOR SANDAKAN (Sabah, Malaysia), March 29 (Bernama) -- A 36-year-old mother of three, Sumarni Jaafar, now does not have to spend money for bus fare to go to the Duchess of Kent Hospital and spend a long time to get treatment if a family member falls ill. The existence of the Bandar Leila 1Malaysia Clinic, located not far from her house, is a boon to her, whilst the waiting time is brief. "I am grateful. It lightens my burden and saves time in getting treatment if there if someone sick among us," she told Bernama when she took one of her children to be treated at the clinic. To be exact, the clinic serves 46,000 people in 17 villages, seven housing estates and 19 islands in the Sapi Parliamentary Constituency and Karamunting and Sukau State constituencies. There are 50 1Malaysia clinics in the country. Recently, Deputy Health Minister Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said Sabah, which had eight operational 1Malaysia clinics thus far, would have 20 by the end of the year. The clinic, which started operating on Jan 7, 2010, also give treatment to residents around Sandakan town and the Sekong State constituency. Bandar Leila resident Matta Pattah, 29, said his family was grateful to the government for providing the clinic which only charged RM1 (US$0.33) for registration and a nominal sum for medicine given out. The number of people turning up at the clinic is overwhelming with 100 to 120 seeking treatment a day - 35,408 people were treated last year. As a result, the Health Ministry boosted the status of the clinic to Health Clinic to qualify it for more personnel and services. -- BERNAMA