Day 1 - BAKAS

On the 13^th of February, we woke up early in the morning, heading to Padang Terap in the dark, with full of excitement. After 1 hour and 45 minutes, we finally reached our destination, the district health office of Padang Terap.

We got a very warm welcome from the district health officer PPKPK, Mr. Mohd Zin Mohd Yasan and were brought to the conference room. Then, he gave us a brief introduction on the district health office, person in-charge, and the schedule of these 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the person in charge, Dr Aishah was on leave, so we missed the chance to meet her on the 1^st day. 

At 9am, the PPKP Mr Mohd Suhaimi started his topic on Bekalan Air dan Kesihatan Alam Sekitar (BAKAS). BAKAS is a rural water supply and sanitation program implemented by Ministry of Health Malaysia with the objectives as follow:

• To improve the health and cleanliness of the villagers
• To reduce incidence of communicable diseases
• To educate the villagers the importance of a clean environment, clean water supply and sanitation

BAKAS also carried out various activities such as:

• Building of proper drainage system from used water( Sistem Pelupusan Air Limbah
• Building of solid waste disposal system (Sistem Pelupusan Sisa Pepejal)
• Health Education
• Provision of wholesomem latrine; either new or replacement of old ones
• Provision of polypipes and fitting for connection of JKR/KKM water supply to houses
• Construction of sanitary wells with hand pump
• Construction of sanitary wells with connection to houses
• Sampling of water
• Sanitary inspection of tourist spots program

A 10.30am, he brought us to a 3 different places and showed us the deep well, SPAL, latrine and gravity feed systems.

DEEP WELL

 This is a tube well which cost around RM 6000.To maintain the quality of the water, the well are sampled and testing twice per year. The well should locate at least 15 m from the toilet to prevent mixing of waste water and well water. The ideal distance is 30 m

SPAL

This system is introduced to reduce the cases of Dengue. This system drains the household waste water to tank through pipe, and the solid material are filter out before enter the pipe. It cost around RM 700.

LATRINES

This is a flush toilet which link to individual septic tank. It cost around RM 850.

GRAVITY FEED SYSTEM ( Puncak Janing)

This system provides water supply for high altitude areas, where the public water supply cannot be reached. Water is collect in tank and transfer to individual house through pipe. This water is sampled once in a year to maintain the quality of the water.