Pekan: Hospital Pekan has made history as the first Ministry of Health (MOH) facility in Pahang to offer traditional Malay massage to the public through its Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) service.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Pahang Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kassim announced the introduction of the service as a step towards a more holistic and patient-centred approach to healthcare. He emphasized the integration of traditional Malay massage into mainstream healthcare in a safe and scientifically guided manner. The announcement was made at a press conference after Razali officiated the service at Hospital Pekan, with State Health Department director Dr Saiful Azlan Sharif also in attendance.
Razali highlighted that the service is provided by certified and trained traditional medicine practitioners, monitored in accordance with MOH standards to ensure safety and quality. The traditional massage is offered as a supportive therapy for patients with chronic pain, including back pain and musculoskeletal conditions, and is also used for post-stroke rehabilitation to improve mobility and reduce muscle stiffness among stable patients.
Hospital Pekan was selected as the pioneer for the TCM service in Pahang due to its readiness, expertise, and strong clinical support that meet safety and effectiveness standards. The service is available at the Level Two lobby from Monday to Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm, except on public holidays, with each session costing RM20. Up to six patients can receive treatment daily, and referrals by a medical officer or specialist are required to access the service.
In a separate issue, Razali addressed coastal erosion in Pahang, revealing that the state government has applied for federal funding to tackle shoreline erosion and river mouth deepening along coastal areas bordering Terengganu and Johor. The estimated cost to address coastal erosion across Pahang exceeds RM1 billion. The state plans to review erosion data from 1985 to 2025 to assess land loss over the past 40 years. Razali also noted that landowners whose land has been lost to the sea due to erosion remain legal owners unless they surrender their land titles to the government and are still responsible for paying quit rent.