Materia Medica Malaysiana

Free screenings for all mums

PUTRAJAYA: Mothers nationwide – from first time mum to ‘senior’ parent – can receive a free screening package that includes breast examinations until the end of the week.
The health package also comes with free pap smear and blood tests, wellness screening and family planning services.
The programme, to mark Mother’s Day, started yesterday and would end on Sunday.
In a statement here, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said the free health-screening package is in recognition of women’s role in society.
It is available at any of the 50 National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) clinics and Nur Sejahtera clinics nationwide.
The screening is being offered to mothers in three categories:
·FOR young mothers (aged 20 to 29), the package covers family planning services, detection of breast abnormality and pap smear service for cervical cancer diagnostics check.
·FOR middle-aged mothers (aged 40 to 49) the package offers blood pressure test, body mass index, family planning services, breast examination, pap smear and blood tests for glucose and cholesterol.
·MOTHERS in the senior category (aged above 49), will get a package that offers blood pressure test, body mass index, breast examination, pap smear, blood tests for glucose and cholesterol, bone scan and menopause counselling.
The ministry said it acknowledged that women were the pulse of the family.
“The woman brings the family together. If she is not healthy – physically, mentally or emotionally – it will be difficult for her to fulfil her responsibilities and contribute as mother, wife and community member,” it said.

Through the free health-screening programme, the ministry hopes to instil the importance of health among women.