By Prisca Natellya Anak Dinnes
On the 14th and 19th of April 2025, the Industrial Relations and Employment Programme, in collaboration with the Sarawak Government Dental Employees’ Union (SGDEU) and the Blood Bank of Hospital Umum Sarawak, successfully co-organised a Blood Donation and Dental Check Campaign. The programme attracted a total of 152 participants for the health awareness talk, while 65 individuals took part in the blood donation drive. This meaningful collaboration between a higher education institution and public healthcare agencies yielded positive outcomes, effectively aligning with and validating the programme’s core objectives.
The main objective of this programme was to raise awareness among the public about the importance of donating blood to save more lives and seeking health consultations regarding regular dental checks. It served as a platform to disseminate vital information on the health benefits associated with both blood donation and proper dental hygiene.
The first session was delivered by Dr. Siti Rashidah Abu Bakar, a Medical Officer from the Blood Bank at Hospital Umum Sarawak, who spoke on the importance of blood donation. She highlighted the pressing issue of insufficient blood supply at the hospital due to a shortage of regular donors. Dr. Siti highlighted that countless lives are saved daily through the generosity of individuals who choose to donate blood.
The second session featured Dr. Fabian Chew Pang Yaw, a Dental Officer from Klinik Pergigian Tanah Puteh, who addressed the topic of dental health. He emphasized that dental care is just as vital as other aspects of healthcare, as maintaining good oral hygiene contributes to a better quality of life. He also cautioned that neglecting dental health can lead to serious conditions such as ulcers, swelling, and severe tooth decay.
The Blood Donation and Dental Check Campaign was officially held on Saturday, 19th April 2025, at Tutorial Rooms 9 and 10, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, UNIMAS. It was heartening to witness the enthusiastic participation of young individuals who were genuinely committed to saving lives through blood donation. In addition, free dental check-ups were made available for attendees seeking oral health consultations.
Overall, the campaign received highly positive feedback from participants and co-organisers alike. It demonstrated the strong commitment of UNIMAS students and staff in contributing to community well-being through volunteerism. Special appreciation goes to the dedicated committee members who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth execution of the programme.
This initiative not only strengthened ties between UNIMAS and public healthcare agencies like SGDEU and the Blood Bank of Hospital Umum Sarawak, but also highlighted the value of collaborative efforts in promoting public health and community unity.