PUBLIC HEALTH

DISEASE CONTROL The objective of the Disease Control Program is to reduce morbidity, and mortality from communicable and non-communicable diseases in Sarawak through efficient and effective disease surveillance systems and improving the investigation, diagnosis, treatment and control of those diseases. The program covers all notifiable diseases under the Infectious Disease Act 1988 and Public Health Ordinance 2000. It includes food and waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid; all immunisable diseases; hand, foot and mouth disease; vector-borne diseases; tuberculosis; leprosy; and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. The control program for the last four disease groups are managed as separate activities. CDC: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) MOH: Avian Influenza Information (MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA) Vector-borne Disease Control Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Sexually-transmitted Disease Control International Health Non-communicable Disease Vector-borne Disease Control The main strategies of this program are epidemiologic and entomologic surveillance, case treatment and follow up, and vector control. Activities include active and passive case detection, case treatment and residual spraying operations for malaria; and source reduction and insecticidal fogging, for dengue fever. The Destruction of Disease-bearing Insects Act, 1975 provides the authority for the implementation of the various control measures, including the prosecution of offenders. back to top Tuberculosis & Leprosy Control The Tuberculosis Control Program aims to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis in Sarawak through BCG vaccination, health education, contact examination and early detection and treatment of cases using the Directly Observed Treatment Supervised(DOTS) regime. The coverage for BCG vaccination for newborn infants is almost 100%. As the overall prevalence of leprosy in the State is very low (less than 0.5/10,000 population in 2000), the focus is on identifying and treating populations at risk through surveys in selected areas. Sexually-transmitted Disease Control This program is involved in the surveillance and prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases in Sarawak. Regular studies help monitor behavioural patterns that put populations at risk to help identify target groups for health education. The strategies include health education; ensuring safety of donated blood through screening of donors and donated blood for HIV; reducing mother-child transmission through antenatal screening; counseling; training of relevant health personnel in the management of these cases; and, reducing the risk of HIV transmission in workplaces by disseminating guidelines on AIDS prevention. AIDS education for youth is conducted through the PROSTAR programme initiated by the Ministry of Health. Many of these activities are organized and carried out in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and other government agencies. back to top International Health International Health services are carried out at designated points of entry into the State to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases such as yellow fever and plague. The main activities carried out vector control, aedes mosquito and rodent surveillance, food quality control, and quarantine services. back to top Non-communicable Diseases Rapid socio-economic development in the State has led to changes in disease patterns. Communicable diseases are generally on the decline although sporadic outbreaks of diseases still occur from time to time. Non-communicable diseases are on the rise, so activities to prevent and control diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are being given higher priority. The population-based Cancer Registry, started more than a decade ago, contains epidemiologic data on cancers in the State. back to top e-mail us at shd@sarawak.health.gov.my