Materia Medica Malaysiana

Jactim’s donation for haemoglobin meters

Expectant mothers in rural areas can look forward to their nearest health
clinic having a haemoglobin meter, which is used to detect anaemia, thanks to a donation from the Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry, Malaysia (Jactim) Foundation.

Jactim vice-president Datuk Masatoshi Fujiki handed over a mock cheque for RM120,000 to Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Suleiman Mohamed today for the purchase of 44 meters. The ceremony was held at the Health Education and Communication Centre in Bangsar.

Fujiki said the donation came under Jactim Foundation's Medical Support in Remote Areas project for 2003. "We decided to undertake this project when we heard the Health Ministry's request for assistance.

"The foundation hopes the contribution will help promote better health management, especially among those who live in remote areas where medical facilities may be less sophisticated than those available to the urban population." He said the haemoglobin meters were particularly effective for early detection of anaemia among expectant and nursing mothers.

Expressing his gratitude to the Jactim Foundation, Suleiman said the donation was timely as 20 per cent of health clinics in Malaysia lacked the meters.

"Anaemia, one of the leading causes of morbidity among antenatal mothers, can be easily treated if detected early. To date only 686 clinics out of the 858 health clinics in Malaysia are equipped with the meter." The Jactim Foundation was established in 1994 to assist cultural, social and educational development in Malaysia and in the process help strengthen the mutual understanding and friendship between Malaysia and Japan.