Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government Employees Cooperative Berhad (Kopeks) became the first cooperative in Sabah to venture into the health clinic service sector.

The move follows Kopeks’ takeover and rebranding of Klinik Sahabat, previously operated by Koperasi Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia Berhad (Koop Sahabat), as KCare Clinic.

Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the initiative adds business value to Kopeks while serving the local community.

“Kopeks now runs cooperative businesses such as loan and credit facilities, Ar-Rahnu, rentals, agent for Kopetro in lubricant oil sales, umrah packages, property development and health clinic services.

“I believe the implementation of these activities not only increases the cooperative’s income but also adds value to the cooperative’s services for its members and the local community.

“Other than that, Kopeks also plans to expand the service to four branches and introduce dialysis treatment in the future,” he said when officiating the handover ceremony of Klinik Sahabat to Kopeks from Koop Sahabat at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Thursday.

During the event, Ewon launched Kopeks’s gold wafer product in conjunction with its 63rd anniversary.

He also approved the cooperative’s application to obtain an ambulance van for use by KCare Klinik and dialysis treatment.

According to him, up to this day, there are 12 cooperatives nationwide involved in hospital and pharmacy services, four cooperatives involved in dialysis services and 19 cooperatives involved in self-care and health services.

“We have 16,284 cooperatives nationwide but less than 50 cooperatives are involved in clinic health services, pharmacy, dialysis and self-care services.

“In Sabah, there are 1,994 cooperatives, but Kopeks is the first and only cooperative currently involved in health clinic services in the State,” he said.