Kuala Lumpur, August 2025 — A four-day field visit to key national health institutions in Kuala Lumpur offered Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) a valuable opportunity to understand how Malaysia’s public health system operates beyond the classroom.
Organised as part of the Applied Family Health and Applied Epidemiology courses, the visit involved Cohort 14 of the DrPH programme. Students met with various divisions under the Ministry of Health (MOH), including the Family Health Development Division (BPKK), Digital Health and Digitalisation Division, Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), and several institutes under the National Institutes of Health (NIH): the Institute for Public Health (IKU), Institute for Health Behavioural Research (IPTK), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), and the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL).
Through these engagements, students observed how health programmes are structured, coordinated, and delivered — from national-level policy decisions to implementation at the ground level. They also discussed the challenges involved in running large-scale health services, particularly in areas such as family health, disease control, and emergency preparedness.
Students were exposed to Malaysia’s digital health initiatives and research priorities. They explored how technology, data, and inter-agency collaboration are being used to strengthen health systems. The visits also highlighted the importance of aligning services with community needs, especially in the context of changing lifestyles, social conditions, and environmental risks.
Beyond government institutions, the group visited the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) and the Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan Family Reproductive Health Association (SWP FReHA). These organisations shared their efforts in cancer prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and family planning. The visits offered a broader view of how non-governmental actors complement national health goals through advocacy and outreach.
The experience provided more than academic insight. It helped students critically reflect on how health policies translate into action — and how future public health professionals like themselves can contribute to improving care delivery and outcomes in Malaysia.
UNIMAS extends its appreciation to all institutions and professionals involved for their hospitality and support throughout the visit.
Group photo of DrPH students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) with Dr Mardiana from the School Health Sector during the academic visit to the Family Health Development Division (BPKK), Ministry of Health Malaysia, on 11 August 2025.
Briefing by Dr Mohd Ihsani bin Mahmood, Disease Control Division, Disease Surveillance Sector
DrPH students and lecturers with Dr. Mahesh in Digital Health Division
Site visit to the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM)