KOTA KINABALU, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Efforts to ensure more B40 individuals in Sabah have access to free health screenings have been strengthened through the launch of the PeKa B40 Catalyst Sabah 2026, which focuses on a community-based approach, particularly in rural areas and hard-to-reach locations.
ProtectHealth chief executive officer Hazwan Najib said based on the latest data from the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) 2026 for the first quarter, approximately 544,000 recipients in Sabah are eligible to receive the PeKa B40 benefits, but only 165,230 recipients have undergone health screenings while 378,770 have not yet been screened.
"The overall screening coverage rate at this time is 30.37 per cent, making it one of the main drivers for the implementation of PeKa B40 Catalyst Sabah 2026. The initiative is implemented by ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd in collaboration with the Sabah State Health Department (JKNS), public and private health facilities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local community partners
"Our goal is not just to increase the number of screenings. What is more important is ensuring that eligible recipients, including those who live far from service centres or are less exposed to health information, do not miss the opportunity to receive health screenings," he said in a statement here today.
Hazwan said that early detection can give someone the opportunity to take action against health risks sooner.
"That's why we want to bring PeKa B40 closer to the people by mobilising the entire ecosystem, such as government clinics, private GP clinics, NGOs and community leaders together," he said.
He said the approach is important considering that Sabah has geographical challenges and varying access to healthcare services by district.
He said that through collaboration between healthcare providers and organisations within the community, PeKa B40 recipients no longer rely solely on conventional approaches to obtain information and access screening services.
"PeKa B40 Catalyst Sabah 2026 encompasses four main approaches, namely the PeKa B40 Community Access Network (CAN Sabah), Program GP Angkat, the PeKa B40 30-Day Screening Olympics Sabah 2026, and the PeKa B40 Sabah Pinnacle Award.
"Through CAN Sabah, ProtectHealth forms a network between public and private health facilities with NGOs, local authorities, religious institutions, volunteers, commercial organisations and community leaders," he said.
He said the network allows information related to screening and outreach activities to be conveyed through parties that are closer and more trusted by the local community.
Meanwhile, Hazwan said the Program GP Angkat strengthens cooperation between Klinik Kesihatan and medical practitioner clinics participating in PeKa B40 through role sharing, joint outreach activities, and the exchange of best practices.
"In order to ensure that screening improvements can be achieved and measured, the PeKa B40 30-Day Screening Olympics Sabah 2026 introduces regular performance monitoring via a real-time dashboard.
"The performance of Klinik Kesihatan and GP clinics will be monitored based on the number of screenings, achievements compared to targets, and progress throughout the implementation period," he added.
-- BERNAMA