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Anti Tuberculosis Association of Sarawak
(A.T.A.S.)

Objectives : The objective of ATAS shall be to work closely together with the Heatlh Department in the State of Sarawak to combat tuberculosis from the disease and giving financial assistance to patients to facilitate ambulatory supervision treatments. Grants : The State Government only gives an annual grant of RM 7,200.00 and the rest of fund comes from generous donations from the public and well wishers. Organisation Structure The Anti Tuberculosis Association of Sarawak was registered on the 1 November, 1955 and presently headed by a President (Executive Council) and a Vice President and the Council consisting of elected members and chairman of branches and Ex-officio. The Ex-officio of the council shall consist of one person nominated by each of the following voluntary organisations. Malaysia Medical Association, Sarawak Branch, State Health Department, Sarawak Federation Women's Institute, Sarakup Indu Daya, Sarawak, Dayak Bidayuh National Association, Sarawak Dayak National Union, Persatuan Melayu Sarawak and the Orang Ulu Association. There shall be a President, Vice President, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer and 6 Council Members who shall be elected bi-annually. There are 3 type of groups of members e.g. Life member on a single payment of not less than RM 50.00, Ordinary members at an annual subscription of RM 10.00 Ordinary membership shall lapse on December, 31st if the subscription for that year is not paid, and Associate Members at an annual subscription of RM 3.00 if the subscription for that year is not paid. The Council has also have the power to make Rules for the formation of branches of ATAS at Divisional and District level and for the affiliation to ATAS of bodies having the same or similar objects as ATAS and of ATAS to such bodies.

The duties of the President shall be preside at all meetings. In the case of his absence from any meeting the Vice President shall be the chairman to act in his place, or if both the President and the Vice President are absent, any member present shall be elected to be chairman of that meeting. The Secretary to the Anti tuberculosis Association of Sarawak shall be to keep the books and records of ATAS, Minutes of all Meetings, to send out Notices of Meeting and to compile annual report of the Association=s activities to the Annual General Meeting. The duties of the Honorary Treasurer shall be to keep and use as directed by the council all monies and other valuables of the Association, to keep accounts, there of and to report quarterly to the council and annually to the Annual General Meeting. Activities (General) The Association printes phamplets and distributes to hospitals, clinics, schools and long houses to educate the public on the awareness and prevention of the diasease. These phamplets are printed in different languages e.g. Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Iban with photographs informing the public on what is tuberculosis or T.B., correct ways of treatments and prevention of the disease, general advice and medical facilities available. Small booklets - Buku Rawatan are also printed and each patient would be given one to show up-date records of their treatments. There are being supervised by the State Health Department staff. The Association Organises radio talks through RTM and the mass-media. Put up exhibitions where posters are put-up, free distributions of leaflets to the public. ATAS also give financial aid to needy TB patients throughout the State at Divisional and Districts level with the assistance from the State Health Department staff who would keep a record of the account and submit monthly returns to ATAS, its Headquarters in Kuching. The activities of disease detection and treatment, BCG vaccination, laboratory service, data collection and analysis, disease surveillance, research, training and teaching, are carried out by the Tuberculosis Control Programme (TBCP) units of State Health Departement.

Medical Officer of Health, Tuberculosis Control Unit, State Health Department
ATAS Building, Jalan Masjid, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Tel: 082-234706 Fax:082-424959 Email: shd@sarawak.health.gov.my
web:  http://sarawak.health.gov.my/