THE State Government launched the Oxygen (O²) for the People #SharingIsCaring Programme which will provide medical device assistance to the less fortunate.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said it would be implemented through Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah (YKS) and Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC).
He said the State Government was aware that not all patients could afford oxygen concentrators and cylinders because of the high price.
“The supply of existing equipment at the hospital is also insufficient and patients have to go back and forth to the hospital to receive treatment. In addition, there are still many individuals out there who are unable to do so and in dire need of the service because they are not registered with the Health Department.
“That is why this programme was introduced. This effort was sparked by the concern of the State Government through YKS and SEC, aimed at helping the less fortunate in the State who require oxygen device assistance,” he said when launching the programme at Dewan Bankuasi, Menara Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu.
Through the programme, oxygen concentrators and cylinders will be placed in government hospitals on loan under the Sabah State Health Department (JKNS) supervision.
Hajiji urged community leaders such as the Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) throughout the State to help spread information about the services under the programme to those in need, which will be given to all citizens who need it regardless of race, religion and background. He said from 2022 until January this year, JKNS recorded 74 patients who required oxygen concentrator assistance, while 11 patients needed oxygen cylinder aid.
According to him, of the 74 cases, 36 patients were recorded in the Kota Kinabalu Zone, 15 in the Sandakan Zone, 14 in the Tawau Zone, seven in the Keningau Zone and two in the Beaufort Zone. For the 11 oxygen cylinder aid, six patients were recorded in the Kota Kinabalu Zone and five in the Sandakan Zone.
Hajiji said the programme’s implementation was also in line with the Malaysia Madani concept, and YKS is a State Government platform to assist the underprivileged who need special attention.
“The main challenge to the country’s efforts to maximise the wellbeing of the people is the lack of facilities and limited allocations to meet the needs of the people in this State,” he said.
“In this context, the aspect of ‘wellbeing’ and ‘health’ of the people has been used as a dimension to measure the poverty rate to see the country’s level of achievement towards creating a civilised country which is the dream of all of us, insha-Allah.
“Under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ), the aspect of people’s wellbeing has also been given major emphasis. The establishment of YKS is for the State Government to help and approach the people of the State who need special help and attention,” he stressed.
Hajiji, who is also the Chairman of YKS, urged all parties, whether government departments or agencies, statutory bodies, government-linked companies (GLCs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate bodies, to continue supporting YKS in helping the underprivileged and those with special needs.
Also present were State Government Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, Sabah Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Mohd Sofian Alfian Nair, SEC Chairman Datuk Annuar Ayub, JKNS Director Datuk Rose Nani Mudin, SEC Chief Executive Officer Adzmir Abdul Rahman, and YKS Director Hajah Rugayah Ag Besar.
Annuar, in his speech, said SEC always cares and is concerned about the plight of the poor and needy in the State, including orphans, the disabled, single mothers and so on.
He said SEC has implemented various corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, including organising the food basket distribution programme, Back-to-School Programme, financial assistance and others aimed at the target groups.
“Through such a CSR programme, SEC hopes it will help the State Government to some extent in its effort to deal with the issue of poverty among the local community.
“This Oxygen for the People Programme is intended to help patients in the State who need assistance with oxygen supply.
“This is the time we try to approach this group of patients and ease their burden by providing this oxygen equipment service.
“In order to ensure that the process of borrowing this oxygen aid equipment runs smoothly, YKS and SEC will work hand in hand with JKNS. Hopefully, with this good cooperation, this programme will be successful. InshaAllah.
“I hope and believe that with the implementation of this programme, it will be able to be used in the best way for us to help ease the burden of poor Sabahans who live far from hospital facilities.
“With this kind of service, they can treat themselves at home without going to the hospital anymore,” he said.
