Sabah:Speaking at the Bernama Sabah Bureau Office, Mariah emphasized the importance of health screenings for media practitioners, highlighting the physical demands of their work, such as lifting heavy equipment, which can pose health risks.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mariah shared the experience of a Tabung Kasih @ HAWANA recipient who discovered a slipped disc only after undergoing further examinations. This recipient, a TV3 cameraman in Sabah, initially sought treatment for dengue and mentioned back pain to the doctor.

Earlier, Mariah attended the Tabung Kasih @ HAWANA aid presentation ceremony, officiated by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. Also in attendance were Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Sabah Bureau chief Fadzli Ramli.

Mariah expressed hope that health screenings could be included under the fund's assistance, focusing on prevention and early detection of health issues among media practitioners. She noted that expanding the scope of assistance would complement the existing financial aid.

She also encouraged media practitioners and former journalists in Sabah facing health challenges to apply for assistance through Tabung Kasih @ HAWANA, as many remain reluctant to do so, with fewer than 40 recipients in the state since the fund's inception in 2023.

SJA assists in identifying media practitioners in need and submits nominations to Bernama, the fund's secretariat. To date, the Ministry of Communications initiative has disbursed RM2.54 million to 864 media practitioners and veteran journalists, including 37 from Sabah. This year, support from Telekom Malaysia has bolstered the fund's efforts to aid those in need.