Health Clinic For Pulau Mantanani Islanders

KOTA BELUD (Sabah), April 29 (Bernama) -- A health clinic will be built at Pulau Mantanani under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for the benefit of more than 1,000 residents on the island.
Medical officer at the Kota Belud Clinic Dr Redzal Abu Hanifah said it was among three clinics proposed to be built in the district under the Ninth Plan.
Currently, the islanders have to go to the nearest clinic in Kuala Abai, more than an hour's ride by speedboat, for treatment.
During bad weather and rough sea conditions, usually in March, the islanders faced difficulties getting medical treatment because they could not leave the island and health personnel could not come to the island.
"We will normally attend to them (Pulau Mantanani residents) first when they come for treatment to clinics on the mainland because we are aware of their transportation problems.
"The boat service to the island is only until 3pm," said Dr Redzal, who was in the entourage accompanying Assistant Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Japlin Akim, on a visit to the island recently.
Japlin, who is also Usukan assemblyman, said public toilets would be built on the island this year following islanders' requests.
On residents' requests for land ownership, he said, the state government would study the matter.