Day 1(Oct 1, 2012) : Introduction

This is the first day of our DHO posting, We all reached there at 8am, and we managed to meet PPKPK in Pendang DHO, Mr. Kasman. We started our briefing session in the meeting room with Mr. Kasman around 8.45am. Before the session was started officially, Mr. Kasman introduced himself and we were requested to do an introduction to him as well. After this "ice-breaking session", Mr. Kasman started a presentation regarding Pendang DHO and Klinik Kesihatan Pendang (which is under the DHO's in-charge).

 
Overview of the presentation:

1. Introduction to the Pendang district

 Main economic activities which are carried out in Pendang district is agriculture (Paddy). 
Total Area of the district is 62, 984. 07 hectare with a population of 104, 800 (year 2005). The population growth rate: 5.4% per year. There are all together 8 sub-districts in Pendang: Air Puteh, Padang Peliang, Padang, Padang Kerbau, Rambai sub-district, Guar Kepayang, Bukit Raya and Tobiar. 

History background
Pendang is come from Siam word "Peniat" which means the capture of the elephants. A festival held annually to capture the elephants. From the dialect diversity, the term 'pendiat' turned into ‘padang' and finally became 'Pendang'.

Healthcare Facilities
In Pendang district, there was no secondary health care facilities. There was primary health care system in the district: Klinik Kesihatan and Klinik Desa (under supervision of Klinik Kesihatan). There were 3 Klinik Kesihatan: KK Pendang (10 KD under its supervision), KK Sungai Tiang (3KD) and Kubur Panjang (4KD)

2. Introduction to Pendang DHO  

Objective of DHO:

• To enhance and maintain the health status of the population

• Help the society to achieve optimal health status.

• Create awareness in community about the existing health service 
facilities

• To achieve a higher standard of living

• Reduce mortality and infectious diseases.

• To prevent and control communicable diseases

• To improve the social condition, physical and mental health 
community.

 

 Inspectorate unit divisions

8 divisions in total: Vector Control unit, CDC unit, NCD unit, KPAS, KMAM, UIP, BAKAS, KMM. Mr. Kasman briefly explained us on the different unit divisions and their responsibilities in maintaining the community health in the Pendang District.

(a) Vector Control Unit
 We was briefed on the responsibilities carried out by this unit. This unit is responsible for the investigation of the outbreak of vector borne diseases such as Dengue, Malaria etc and their respective control programs. Mr. Kasman told us that the main vector control program is mainly targeted on Dengue due to its high prevalence in the district.

(b) Communicable Disease Control Unit (CDC)

• Carry out surveillance of acute diarrhea incident

• Investigate all outbreak and to take effective action

• Searching  the context of the patient and carry out prevention to 
stop the spread 

(c) NCD (Non Communicable Disease) unit

This unit is mainly responsible for non communicable diseases 
such as Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension & Cardiovascular  
diseasea, Smoking, Cancer, Drug abuse and Injuries. The PPKP  
will monitor the detection of the cases and promote the special  
clinics such as diabetes clinic. They will organize the health 
promotion programs such as health caimpaign, dissemination of  
health education materials.

(d) KPAS 

•   Investigate the incidence of the accident, poisoning and 
occupational diseases

•   Investigate the etiology and take appropriate action.

•   Cooperate with Department of Occupational Safety and 
Health in the investigation of occupational disease and 
environmental issues.

(e) KMAM

•  Prepare the annual program of water sampling activities 
supplied by SADA.

•  Conducting sampling activities each week

•  Laboratory analysis of water samples from SADA

(f)  UIP

This unit is responsible for all enforcement activities of public 
health laws to ensure it is carried out smoothly including a court 
trial procedures at the district and state level. 

 

(g) BAKAS

This unit guide people on toilet construction and channeling 
subsidies. They conduct studies to obtain data for community 
Gravity-fed water supply system. They also encourage the use of  
SADA tap water.

(h) KMM

They Enforce the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985. 
They conduct food sampling for analysis for microorganisms and 
the chemical compositions of the food in the market/ factory. They 
also make sure the vaccination and the medical examinations of 
the food handlers were done. Investigation on any breach of the 
Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 was carried out by the 
unit.