Terengganu: Although the Terengganu MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 at Pasar Payang, here, only opens at 9 am, visitors have been lining up since early morning for free health screenings at the Ministry of Health's (MOH) booth.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, visitors of all ages were found patiently queuing for their turn to undergo health screenings and receive advice from MOH personnel on duty. Zainal Khamis, a 63-year-old visitor, said he did not miss the opportunity for a health check-up after learning about the programme through a local residents' WhatsApp group. He expressed satisfaction with his health status, stating, "Alhamdulillah, all my readings are still under control."

Irfaniza Badrul, a 35-year-old bank officer, decided to stop by the health screening booth while visiting the PMR site. She wanted to check her cholesterol level and seek advice, as she has been dealing with high cholesterol. After the screening, she said, "Thankfully, my health readings are satisfactory, and the health officer advised me to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to maintain good health."

Royharcinta Harman Shah, an assistant medical officer at the Kuala Terengganu Health Office, emphasized the importance of initiatives like this, especially in Terengganu where the population tends to enjoy sweet foods. He noted that this increases the risk of non-communicable diseases if not properly controlled. "We are taking this initiative to raise public awareness about their health status," he stated. "For example, we can detect early risk factors and intervene by providing referral letters for follow-up appointments at health facilities, if necessary."

The programme offers various services over the three-day event, including checks for blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI), along with health screenings under the PeKa B40 programme and free influenza vaccine immunisation for individuals aged 60 and above. The event, targeting a total attendance of 25,000 visitors, is themed 'Pembangunan MADANI, Rakyat Sejahtera' and is organized by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) through the Performance Acceleration and Coordination Unit (PACU), in strategic collaboration with the Works Ministry and the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM).