On Saturday, 18th May 2024, 14 members from the UNIMAS Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, including medical students, public health specialist trainees, and lecturers, led the “Keluarga Sihat” health screening programme organised by The Waterfront Hotel & Plaza Merdeka. The event, held at Plaza Merdeka Mall, included teams and volunteers from the Kuching Divisional Health Office, Klinik Kesihatan Jalan Masjid, Klinik Kesihatan Tanah Puteh, Kuching Divisional Dental Office, and Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak. The programme aimed to educate and provide screenings on childhood health issues and adult non-communicable diseases for employees of the establishment and public visitors at Plaza Merdeka Mall and The Waterfront Hotel.
The health issues addressed included vision problems, nutrition, childhood behavioural difficulties (Autism/ADHD), missed childhood vaccinations, dental health, emotional regulation and coping skills in adolescents, adult chronic illnesses as part of the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI), and adult mental health.
The programme began at 8:30 a.m. for employees and their family members, with public participation commencing at 10 a.m. after the mall opened. Various stations for screenings, health promotions, and consultations were set up. Dental services were provided through a mobile dental clinic using a specially equipped bus. Health programmes for the participants included vision screening, non-communicable disease screening, nutrition consultation, development and growth assessment and consultation, mental health screening, safe touch education, and dental consultation. Health promotional activities included raising awareness about common public health issues such as smoking and vape use, infectious diseases, mental health, nutrition, and dental health.
By the end of the programme, a total of 182 employees, their family members, and public visitors had participated in the activities. About 40% of the participants were identified to be at risk of various health issues such as hypertension, anaemia, depression, and anxiety disorders. Twelve participants were referred directly to their nearest health clinics for urgent treatment. The programme ended at 12 noon with a closing ceremony and certificate presentation by Datin Anriza Cordero, the Director of The Waterfront Hotel and Plaza Merdeka.
This programme was successfully conducted through collaboration and engagement with various agencies around Kuching, including non-health groups such as AZAM Sarawak, a non-profit and non-governmental organisation, The Waterfront Hotel, and Plaza Merdeka. Students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences learned the significance of collaboration skills beyond clinical expertise in their journey towards becoming doctors and specialists. They recognised that effective teamwork and achieving common goals rely not only on individual clinical skills but also on the ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds. This community-driven initiative aligns with UNIMAS’s mission and values to enhance social impact on the community through strategic engagement and forging impactful partnerships with local stakeholders.
Group Photo
Vision Screening
Consultation Booths
Medical Students assisting at Booth
Medical Students assisting at Booth
Dental Check-up
Prepared by,
Dr Nur Iwana Bt Abdul Taib, Medical Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UNIMAS.