SERIAN: Awareness about stroke and rabies has come under the spotlight with the launch of the Angels Initiative and Stop Rabies Campaign here Saturday (Aug 19).
The collaborative effort is being undertaken by Boehringer Ingelheim Malaysia in partnership with various stakeholders, including the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS).
The campaign aims to tackle awareness on both rabies and stroke, providing a comprehensive approach to health education and services.
“Continuing our Sustainable Development – For Generations (SD4G) initiative with this roadshow, we are addressing two preventable causes of death under one roof,” said head of animal health from Boehringer Ingelheim Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia Dr Kam Kok Yen during the event held at SJK Chung Hua here.
“This exemplifies our commitment to creating a healthier future for humans and animals.”
The campaign will go beyond discussions, offering free rabies vaccinations for pets like dogs and cats.
“The high number of rabid dog bites heightens the urgency to combat rabies together with the community,” said DVSS deputy director Dr Nicholas Jenek.
“With low awareness among pet owners, the importance of rabies vaccination becomes even more crucial.”
He said rabies vaccine injections should be administered annually but that there is still a significant portion of the public who are unaware of this requirement.
As such, head of the Communicable Disease Unit, Serian Division Health Office, Dr Mohd Khairunnaim Che Khalid asserted that the responsibility of rabies eradication extends beyond the government.
“Pet owners in Serian are urged to prioritise vaccinating their pets. By doing so, we can prevent the spread of rabies within the larger community and protect our pets, our families, neighbours, and neighbourhood animals from rabies,” he added.
During the campaign, attendees also had access to a booth dedicated to health screenings.
This booth provided complimentary blood pressure and blood glucose tests, as well as stroke and atrial fibrillation risk assessments, all administered by the medical professionals from the Sarawak General Hospital.
Apart from DVSS, official partners of the ongoing campaign are the Ministry of Health, Samarahan District Education Office, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council, Serian District Council, Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Chevron, Southeast Asia One Health University Network, Malaysia One Health University Network, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and Rhone Ma.
