Medical check-up for Kg Peta folk

THE Johor Media Club, in collaboration with the Johor National Parks Corporation (JNPC), conducted free medical check-up for Kampung Peta Orang Asli community.

Club president Mohamad Fauzi Ishak said 26 media practitioners and 10 healthcare staff from Regency Specialist Hospital travelled to the village, located within the Endau-Rompin Johor National Park in Mersing, in 16 four-wheel drive vehicles.

“During the two-day Johor Media Expedition: Education and Health programme, the Orang Asli villagers were given free health screening and talks on how to take better care of themselves,” he said, adding that SK Kampung Peta pupils took part in a colouring contest.

The hospital’s marketing director Isaiah Cheong said the programme was in line with its belief in making a positive impact in the community.

“We took the opportunity to celebrate the hospital’s 14th anniversary with the villagers by handing out free cupcakes.

“Aside from giving them free health screenings, we also provided items such as personal hygiene kits, basic food items and snacks for the adults and children in the village,” he said.

After the conclusion of the community programme, the expedition continued the next day with a briefing and tour of the Endau-Rompin Nature Education and Research Centre (NERC) by JNPC’s wildlife assistant Andik Idris Munabak Andik Burhanudin.

There, the participants learned about the flora and fauna within the Peta national park and the threats they faced.

Mohamad Fauzi (in red) and Cheong (in green) observing pupils from SK Peta taking part in a colouring contest.

The NERC is also a base for researchers and scientists besides catering to the general public who wish to learn about nature.

One of the participants, Ruby So, 39, said the expedition was an eye-opener as she saw how the Kampung Peta community lived.

“It was also my first time entering the national park, which lies within the customary lands of the Kampung Peta people.

“I took lots of photos, including of the unique buildings in the village such as the police station,” she said.

She added that she was impressed to learn that the JNPC was actively monitoring wildlife behaviour through surveillance cameras installed throughout the national park.

“This is a good effort to ensure they are well and also to protect them from illegal hunting activities,” said the journalist, adding that learning about the park was beneficial for her line of work.

Another participant, senior nurse Nurizzah Ariffin said the expedition allowed her to engage with the local Orang Asli community and understand their health concerns.

“Through the health screening part of the programme, we learned that the community faced diabetes and body mass index issues.

“We gave them some advice and recommendations as our aim is not only to diagnose but to also educate and empower them to make the right lifestyle choices,” said the 48-year-old.