Raising Awareness on the Importance of Health Screenings
Understanding their ability to serve the public, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Year 5 students from Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) took on the challenge to organise a health camp on 20 May 2023.
29 May 2023
The inclining number of people in Malaysia suffering from non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension demonstrates an increasing need for the public to utilise health screenings to their advantage. Understanding their ability to serve the public, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Year 5 students from Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) took on the challenge to organise a health camp on 20 May 2023.
The health camp was conducted at SK Murni Pok, Gelang Patah, Johor. Headed by NUMed’s Lau Siew Ping and Ashley Yap May Yee, the team sought to give back to the Johor community, who have contributed to the success of their clinical postings. The event was also aimed at improving health education and screening to encourage a healthier lifestyle, promoting mental health awareness, and cultivating important values such as empathy, servitude, patience, and kindness among NUMed students while providing an opportunity for them to improve their clinical skills.
The students were joined by NUMed’s lecturers as well as staff members from Gelang Patah Health Clinic, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah (TUTA) Dental Clinic and Sultan Ismail Hospital.
Among others, students of SK Murni Pok received lessons on proper handwashing, maintaining a balanced diet, and proper tooth-brushing techniques to help instil in the children the importance of practising good oral and hand hygiene, and healthy eating habits. This helps to raise awareness on how to prevent germ transmission, future health complications, and poor dental health from an early age.
On top of general health screenings, dental screenings were provided on a mobile dental clinic manned by TUTA Dental Clinic’s staff members. Regular dental screening helps to detect early oral issues such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and cavities. This also allows the public to take preventive measures to hinder the issues from worsening. Up to 60 people took up the offer of the complimentary dental screening provided.
Besides that, there was a blood donation drive, donation of groceries to 10 families in need, mental health screening and activities, educational talks and even a child developmental booth.
Besides that, there was a blood donation drive, donation of groceries to 10 families in need, mental health screening and activities, educational talks and even a child developmental booth.
The school principal's speech of sincere gratitude and appreciation warmed the hearts of the team, who had worked unrelentingly to allow the event to come to fruition.
While the journey came with its own obstacles, especially during the preparation phase of the event, the students felt rewarded for their hard earned efforts.
“With the help of NUMed, we managed to step out of our comfort zone to help the public. I feel proud of my team, especially when the principal expressed her gratitude to us for choosing her school and for our efforts as young doctors in promoting public health,” shared Lau.
