In a meaningful step towards narrowing healthcare gaps in rural communities, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Kedah Branch brought specialist-level medical care directly into the Orang Asli village of Lubok Lenggong through its Sihat Bersama Pakar outreach programme.
Held on Nov 15, the initiative saw a multidisciplinary team of doctors delivering hospital-grade services to 184 residents from 82 Kensiu families in Perkampungan Orang Asli. The village, home to 325 people, is among the most remote and underserved in Kedah.
The outreach, one of the most comprehensive of its kind, was led by Senior Consultant Prof Dr Thiyagar Nadarajaw and supported by specialists in paediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, ENT, dermatology and dental care. All participating doctors were MMA members from both government and private sectors. For many villagers, this marked their first-ever encounter with specialist care.
Healthcare Delivered Into Their Community
The team conducted thorough assessments right within the community, offering services typically provided only in a clinical environment. These included blood pressure and glucose checks, visual acuity tests, eye screening, paediatric evaluations and women’s health reviews.
For generations, residents of Lubok Lenggong have faced long-standing challenges such as distance, transportation limitations, financial constraints and language differences that have made it difficult to access specialist healthcare.
MMA Kedah Chairman Dr Sritharan Rao said the initiative was designed to remove these obstacles by bringing care to the heart of the village. “The journey to Lubok Lenggong was not easy, but our purpose was clear: to stand beside the Orang Asli, to heal, to protect, and to honour them,” he said. “Specialist care and food baskets were only the beginning. What we truly delivered was humanity.”
MMA President Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said that outreach programmes like Sihat Bersama Pakar offer meaningful health benefits for communities with limited access to specialist services.“Programmes like this play a vital role in strengthening community health by making specialist services more accessible and familiar to those who may not otherwise seek them out.”
He noted that engaging communities directly can make a long-term difference in health outcomes.
“When our teams go directly into villages, we help residents better understand their health conditions, recognise symptoms earlier and feel more confident about seeking timely care.”
He added that such efforts can reduce complications later on.
“Outreach like Sihat Bersama Pakar encourages early detection, enhances health education and empowers families with knowledge that can prevent complications in the long term.”
Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu said these engagements also strengthen health awareness across all age groups.
“These engagements build stronger health awareness across generations. By supporting children, adults and elders in one setting, we help shape a healthier community for the future.”
“The MMA is committed to initiatives that improve health literacy and encourage preventive care. The benefits of such efforts extend far beyond a single day, they create lasting change in how communities approach their wellbeing.”
More Than Medicine
Beyond consultations, every household received a food basket sponsored by the MMA Foundation, supported by a RM10,000 allocation dedicated to the community’s nutritional needs.
Dr Sritharan said the combination of medical care and food support was crucial in uplifting families and strengthening long-term wellbeing.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. When we walk into the heart of Lubok Lenggong, we are reminded that true service is bringing specialist care to those who have waited too long for it.”
Health Education for Long-Term Impact
To strengthen the community’s health literacy, MMA conducted a comprehensive health education programme, which included:
● basic health awareness and hygiene
● chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol
● nutrition and safe food practices
● maternal and child health
● infectious disease prevention
● oral health
● mental health
Residents requiring further treatment will be referred to Klinik Kesihatan Kampung Lalang or Hospital Baling for follow-up care or elective procedures.
