Kota Samarahan, 24 November 2025 – Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) through the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ (FMHS) Post Graduate Medical Association (PGMED), has partnered with Universiti Malaya (UM) via UMCares and the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science to deliver CAKnA 2025 (Citra Akademik untuk Komuniti dan Alam) community health programme in two rural locations in Sarawak. The initiative aimed to promote preventive health awareness and build stronger university-community collaboration.
The two-day outreach was held in Kampung Tringgus Bong on 22 November and Kampung Sadong Jaya Tengah on 23 November, with the support of Bau District Office and Sadong Jaya Sub-District Office. Village leaders helped coordinate mobilization efforts, enabling active participation among residents across all age groups.
The CAKnA 2025 outreach programme featured health and fitness screenings including blood pressure, blood glucose, anthropometric measurements and BMI assessments. Participants also received personalized consultations delivered by academics and trained facilitators. Interactive education booths promoted locally relevant key messages such as rabies prevention, nutrition education “Pinggan Sihat Malaysia”, active living and adopting safe exercise routines.
The sessions began with community-based senamrobik before screenings and educational activities took place and concluded with an appreciation ceremony and group photography. Informal feedback from participants reflected appreciation for the opportunity to receive tailored health advice and better understanding of preventive care strategies suited to everyday life.
Student facilitators shared that the programme strengthened their competencies in field communication, behavioural counselling and community mobilization; skills aligned with the practice-based training elements of the DrPH curriculum. Organisers also observed that the initiative reinforced connections between the universities and rural partners, laying groundwork for future collaborative efforts in underserved areas.
UNIMAS remains committed to expanding meaningful community engagement activities while continuing to explore opportunities to extend similar outreach initiatives to other rural districts in Sarawak.