Cultivating A Caring Generation Of Medical Professionals For The Community

Over the years, global healthcare systems have undergone numerous reforms, advancements, and improvements. Nevertheless, throughout all these transformations, the vital role of empathy as a cornerstone in providing efficient healthcare to individuals and communities has remained consistent. The medical profession emphasises integrity and caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable.

Year 5 of MBBS students of Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) recently organised a Health Camp on 12th June 2022 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Pulai, Johor, as part of its commitment to cultivating highly empathetic medical professionals via the delivery of high-quality medical education. This event was attended by a large number of people from the surrounding communities, including 160 villagers, 350 school children, 70 NUMed volunteers, and 20 Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) volunteers.

One of the main goals of the Health Camp is to give back to society. Year 5 MBBS students at NUMed have had the opportunity to learn from real patients in various clinics and hospitals around Johor throughout their five years of study. By assisting these patients, they have been able to develop their clinical knowledge and skills. Thus, the Health Camp is an opportunity to give back to the community.

Besides, this health camp has also allowed the community to understand the importance of health education and screening. This is essential as the country is currently experiencing an increasing rate of non-communicable diseases, which disproportionately affect some communities that have poorer access to quality healthcare due to social inequalities.

“We want to balance the scales, so to speak, by bringing quality health education and screening to the doorsteps of these communities, while striving to improve health awareness and promote healthier lifestyles,” said Timothy, a Year 5 MBBS student at NUMed and the Health Camp's Chairperson.

This Health Camp also aimed to provide Year 5 MBBS students with hands-on experience in public health services. Medical students frequently discuss doing electives or internships in advanced specialities. However, public health is a medical speciality that is vastly underrated and an overlooked area of medicine.

"Public health strategies have been pivotal to the entire global COVID-19 response. Hence, it is important to bring back a public health initiative after a three-year hiatus. Furthermore, this Health Camp allows us to practise our clinical skills before starting to work as trainee doctors," said Anisah, another Year 5 MBBS student at NUMed and member of the Health Camp's working committee.

Furthermore, this Health Camp has aided in overcoming social stigmas. Through careful explanation and informed consent, our MBBS students encouraged many participants to get the mental health screening and women’s screening, which included the Pap smear; thus breaking down barriers that are often considered taboo subjects in Malaysia.

There were many other noteworthy activities that took place during this one-day Health Camp. Among those were health education activities for school children, mini clinics where participants could receive consultations from medical students and NUMed doctors, and a mobile clinic where a team led by a NUMed doctor lecturer visited immobile or semi-dependent patients at eight houses in the village.

"Through this Health Camp, we were able to gain firsthand experience on how to manage and treat patients. This opportunity gave us the means to practise the clinical skills and knowledge that we have gained throughout the years in NUMed. On the other hand, we have planned the Health Camp to be as community-oriented as possible by involving the local school, villagers, and healthcare workers in the area," Anisah explained.

"In terms of educational standing, the NUMed 2022 batch is a testament to the educational and training quality that NUMed provides. The university has produced individuals who are not afraid to step outside of their comfort zones and provide quality healthcare to those in need. Furthermore, one of the key highlights of the Health Camp was the amount of health education provided in every booth, including for children as young as six years old. This showcases NUMed as a public health education hub that expands beyond the traditional boundaries of a tertiary institution," Timothy explained when asked how the event has impacted the community.

NUMed will continue striving to provide top-notch medical education to equip students with the necessary skills and experience for a career in healthcare. For more information about the programmes offered at NUMed, please email admissions@newcastle.edu.my, call +607 5553800, WhatsApp +6011 12315411/ +6012 7849456, or visit https://www.ncl.ac.uk/numed/

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the Health Camp Chairperson, Timothy Ho and Assistant Chairperson, Anisah who have provided information on this news.

Thank you to Jerry Tan who have provided photographs for this news item.