HANDS-ON (From left): One of UCSI University’s Pharmacy students explaining the health exhibit to attending VIPs, namely, Mydin Meru Raya Hypermarket (Ipoh) assistant branch manager Mr Mohd Fauzi, Perak’s deputy director of State Health (Public Health Di

OFFICIAL LAUNCH (From left): Mr Tan Chor Seang, senior dialysis manager of National Kidney Foundation Malaysia; Yg Bhg Dato?Peter Ng, founder and chairman of UCSI Group; Datin Dr Ranjit Kaur, deputy director of State Health (Public Health Division) in Pe

FOR A GOOD CAUSE: NKF head (Fundraising Department) Ms Lesley Ng (in black) posing with UCSI University’s Pharmacy students during the 12th Annual Public Health Campaign.

IPOH: UCSI University (UCSI) recently organised its 12th Annual Public Health Campaign in Mydin Meru Raya Hypermarket (Ipoh) from June 29 ?30, 2013 to promote greater health awareness among the public, which was attended by over 1,040 visitors. 

Themed ‘Know Your Drugs, Love Your Kidneys, Together We Care? the two-day campaign was graced by Datin Dr Ranjit Kaur, deputy director of State Health (Public Health Division) in Perak, who heaped effusive praise on the event. 

“Kidney failure is increasing in Malaysia at an alarming rate, with over 4,000 cases diagnosed annually,?she said. 

?Therefore), this effort to inform the public about the importance of managing their medicine and on making the right choices to care for their kidneys is indeed commendable.? 

Yg Bhg Dato?Peter Ng, founder and chairman of UCSI Group, who was also present at the event, echoed Datin Dr Ranjit Kaur’s sentiment. 

“I am pleased to note that this campaign has taken place for its 12th successive year and has always served its purpose of highlighting current national health issues to the public,?he enthused. 

“According to Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), it was reported that there were 25,688 dialysis patients and 1,884 registered kidney receivers at the end of 2011. As such, health campaigns like this help foster greater awareness on kidney disease, and the importance of healthcare and preventive methods, among other issues.? 

Organised by UCSI’s Pharmacy students since 2002, the campaign seeks to help bridge the community-academia divide and to provide an excellent platform for members of the community and students to learn from each other. 

Notably, the campaign featured various health-related activities such as health exhibitions, demonstrations on chemical compounding, ‘Know Your Drugs?sessions and a range of screening tests such as waist-to-hip ratio test, body fat test and blood glucose test, to name a few. 

Other academics and industry leaders like Mr Tan Chor Seang, senior dialysis manager of National Kidney Foundation Malaysia and Assoc Prof Dr Yeong Siew Wei, dean of UCSI’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences were also present at the event. 

All proceeds will be channelled directly to the National Kidney Foundation Malaysia (NKF) ?a non-profit charitable organisation ?to help dialysis patients. More than RM4,900 was raised.