Sabah: Efforts to ensure more B40 individuals in Sabah have access to free health screenings have been strengthened through the launch of the PeKa B40 Catalyst Sabah 2026, which focuses on a community-based approach, particularly in rural areas and hard-to-reach locations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, ProtectHealth chief executive officer Hazwan Najib highlighted that based on the latest data from the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) 2026 for the first quarter, approximately 544,000 recipients in Sabah are eligible to receive the PeKa B40 benefits. However, only 165,230 recipients have undergone health screenings while 378,770 have not yet been screened.
"The overall screening coverage rate at this time is 30.37 per cent, making it one of the main drivers for the implementation of PeKa B40 Catalyst Sabah 2026. The initiative is implemented by ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd in collaboration with the Sabah State Health Department (JKNS), public and private health facilities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local community partners," he stated.
Hazwan further explained that the goal is not just to increase the number of screenings but to ensure that eligible recipients, particularly those living far from service centres or with limited access to health information, do not miss the opportunity to receive health screenings. He emphasized that early detection can provide individuals the chance to address health risks sooner.
The initiative aims to bring PeKa B40 closer to the people by mobilising the entire ecosystem, including government clinics, private GP clinics, NGOs, and community leaders. Hazwan highlighted the importance of this approach considering Sabah's geographical challenges and varied access to healthcare services by district.
Through collaboration between healthcare providers and community organisations, PeKa B40 recipients are no longer reliant solely on conventional methods for obtaining information and accessing screening services. The PeKa B40 Catalyst Sabah 2026 encompasses four main approaches: the PeKa B40 Community Access Network (CAN Sabah), Program GP Angkat, the PeKa B40 30-Day Screening Olympics Sabah 2026, and the PeKa B40 Sabah Pinnacle Award.
CAN Sabah forms a network between public and private health facilities with NGOs, local authorities, religious institutions, volunteers, commercial organisations, and community leaders. This network allows information related to screening and outreach activities to be communicated through trusted local community figures.
Additionally, the Program GP Angkat fosters cooperation between Klinik Kesihatan and participating medical practitioner clinics through role sharing, joint outreach activities, and the exchange of best practices. The PeKa B40 30-Day Screening Olympics Sabah 2026 introduces regular performance monitoring via a real-time dashboard to ensure that screening improvements can be achieved and measured. The performance of Klinik Kesihatan and GP clinics will be monitored based on the number of screenings, achievements compared to targets, and progress throughout the implementation period.