THE One Hope Charity Health Carnival held at Dewan Ng Yam Huat in Bukit Mertajam this morning was a meaningful programme that has benefited 3,000 people.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who visited the carnival, praised the organisers and volunteers for holding the programme for the third time for the lower income group.
“This carnival helps to ease the burden of the people in need of health checkups,” Chow said in his speech.
“Regularly, we find some with serious illnesses which are too late to be treated. So, prevention is better than cure.
“The state government is appreciative of such a big carnival organised for 3,000 people who have registered for the various tests and also the efforts by hundreds of volunteers.
“I also understand that One Hope Charity has given its assurance to help arrange for those who need further treatment and financial support.”
Chow commended One Hope Charity, which has started its charity services 17 years ago, for helping the needy, irrespective of race and religion. It is learnt that in 2018 alone, the foundation has spent over RM5.2 million.
“This has indeed helped the state government tremendously to care for the welfare of the people. We appreciate the help rendered to the poor by the private sector and NGOs (non-governmental organisations).
“The state government is proud that for the past 11 years, through its CAT (competency, accountability and transparency) policy, it has always prioritised the welfare of the people. That is the aspiration of the state government.”
On its part, Chow said the state government has carried out several welfare programmes for the people such as the iSejahtera that involves financial aid to Warga Emas (senior citizens), Ibu Emas (golden mothers), Anak Emas (golden child), OKU (physically challenged), Pelajar Emas (golden students) and Program Agenda Ekonomi Saksama (AES or state Economic Aid Programme) for poor families.
Chow said since the programmes began in 2008, the state government has spent over RM412 million to benefit 1.6 million people.
Also present at the charity event were One Hope Charity & Welfare Berhad organising chairman Chua Sui Hau, advisers Datuk Seri R. Arunasalam, Ang Beng Hock and Dr Abdul Aziz Yahaya, state executive councillors Phee Boon Poh and Dr Afif Bahardin and Berapit assemblyman Heng Lee Lee.
Other guests included Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) president Datuk Rozali Mohamud, MPSP secretary Rosnani Mahmod, Yayasan Foodbank Malaysia chief executive officer Abdul Wahab Long, Seberang Jaya Hospital director Dr Saiful Azlan Sharif, Bukit Mertajam Hospital director Dr Nur Aslina Bahakodin and Penang Health Department deputy director Dr Elizabeth Anthony.
Chua, in his speech, said One Hope Charity was glad that the National Heart Institute (IJN) could send a mobile ambulance truck from Kuala Lumpur to the event to help those who need heart check and ECG. It was stationed outside the hall.
In the hall, many of the visitors took the opportunity to undergo blood screening, dental, eye, ear, liver ultrasound and bone density checks. There were also counters promoting organ donation and providing services such as physiotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine.
Chua added that for senior citizens and students who needed eye checks, they have made available 1,500 free spectacles.
Aside from health checks, a blood donation campaign was also held simultaneously.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Alvie Cheng