The National Mobile Health Screening Clinic (KBSKN), provides great benefits to the community in monitoring health levels, especially in detecting chronic diseases during their early stages.
Executive Councillor for Housing, Local Government and Tourism, Dato’ Nolee Ashilin binti Dato’ Mohammed Radzi said KBSKN, known as the ‘Purple Truck’ is able to help improve the positive aspects of community life so that they can live a better quality of life.
“The highest appreciation and thanks to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) who collaborated with MCIS Life for choosing the state of Perak as the first location to start a programme that can help all corners of the community.
“The Purple Truck service focuses more on rural communities who have logistical problems and are less able to undergo health screening.
“The Purple Truck team will travel around the states in peninsular Malaysia and provide free services to Malaysians starting this August. The mobile team consists of trained, experienced medical staff and committed healthcare volunteers,” she told Ipoh Echo when interviewed after the inauguration Ceremony of the National Mobile Health Screening Clinic, in conjunction with the Malaysia Women Marathon 2022 (MCIS Life) which took place in Padang Ipoh today.
The inauguration of the Purple Truck was completed by HRH The Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim, who also visited some of the MCIS exhibition stalls. Tuanku was given an explanation about how breast cancer screening is done using the latest methods.
The mobile health clinic is a 17-foot truck that has been modified as a platform to host awareness and health workshops about cancer and non-communicable diseases.
Also present were, Mayor of Ipoh, Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin @ Md Daud, NCSM President, Dato’ Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram and the President of BAIDURI, Datin Seri Aezer Zubin.
Meanwhile, Dr. S. Saunthari in his speech said that there are three missions that 0are the main objectives of the Purple Truck, in addition to helping the public regardless of their social or economic status.
“The first mission is to carry out screening and early detection of cancer as well as advisory services in recognizing the signs and symptoms of cancer, taking early and necessary steps to manage cancer.
“Secondly, basic health check-ups such as weight, height, BMI and blood pressure as well as giving booster vaccinations to those in need.
“Third, provide educational workshops to increase the knowledge of rural communities about the importance of health and to teach specific skills in self-health checks,” he said.
Purple Truck will focus on the three main types of cancer in Malaysia: breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer. Tests for colorectal cancer and early breast cancer screening will be carried out directly on location while for cervical cancer, a sample will be taken and the results will be communicated to the patient by phone or email.
According to S. Saunthari, the Purple Truck will begin its journey with a trained medical team and volunteers from NCSM to locations throughout peninsular Malaysia. Among the main locations that the Purple Truck will visit is Sireh Park in Johor in conjunction with MCIS Life’s anniversary celebration.
The map and itinerary of the “Purple Truck” will be shared on the NCSM website (www.cancer.org.my) and social media platforms Facebook (@nationalcancersocietymalaysia) and Instagram (@nationalcancersocietymalaysia)
by Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
