Kuching, 6 August 2025 — Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) brought health and life skills into focus at Sekolah Tunas Bakti Kuching, a rehabilitation school for boys, through a one-day programme under the Applied Family Health course.
The initiative, supported by Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) Postgraduate Association (PGMed), engaged 36 participants in seven teams through a series of interactive sessions aimed at improving well-being, resilience, and confidence.
The programme began with basic health screenings for common conditions such as scabies and head lice; a step highlighting the importance of hygiene and self-care. Principal Boniface Julai welcomed the effort, before ice-breaking games quickly set a relaxed and lively atmosphere.
At the heart of the day were four interactive modules that blended learning with fun. The first focused on personal hygiene and self-care, where simple talks and videos showed how daily habits like bathing and grooming foster self-respect. This was followed by a session on preventing infectious diseases, which explained how illnesses such as tuberculosis and hepatitis spread in communal settings and why early detection is vital. The boys then explored mental health and stress management through the Mental Health Tree, an activity that helped them recognise stress and practise relaxation techniques. The programme concluded with lively skits and role-plays on healthy living and substance abuse prevention, which underscored the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco while equipping them with strategies to say no with confidence. Each session was designed to be hands-on, practical, and relatable, with games and group activities making the lessons both memorable and engaging.
The programme concluded with a closing ceremony officiated by Associate Professor Dr Azizah Binti Azhar, where small prizes were presented to participants and a token of appreciation was handed to the school.
For the DrPH students, the activity fulfilled academic requirements. For the boys of Sekolah Tunas Bakti, it was an opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and encouragement that extend beyond the classroom — planting seeds of health, resilience, and hope.
📩 For collaboration or enquiries, contact: pgmedunimas@gmail.com
Basic Health Screening
Exchange token of appreciation between our project supervisor, Associate Professor Dr Azizah Binti Azhar and Principal of Sekolah Tunas Bakti, Mr Boniface Julai