Dr. Ogunbanjo counsels one of the residents who participated in the health screening tests at the community centre.

Dr. Robert Bong hands over a token of appreciation to En. Mohamad Yunus (right) as Associate Professor Jeya Devi looks on

1Malaysia: Nursing students singing the national anthem dressed in attires representing the multi-ethnicity of Malaysia

A nursing student checks a resident’s blood pressure.

Kuala Lumpur, 23 October, 2010 - UCSI University’s School of Nursing successfully launched its 1Malaysia Community Project at the Taman Midah Rukun Tetangga recently. The launching ceremony was officiated by Unity Director for Cheras District - Department of National Integration and Unity, En. Mohamad Yunus b. Zainuddin together with UCSI University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Robert Bong. The community project featured health screening packages ranging from RM5 to RM40, with 100 percent of its proceeds going to Hospis Malaysia. 

The health screenings offered during the day-long community project included vital preventive tests, such as blood tests, bone scans and general health assessments. In honour of Pink October, a month dedicated for breast cancer awareness, the health screenings also included a special package for women which includes pelvic scans, breast examinations and pap smears. Also present at the community centre was gynecologist and obstetrician, Dr. Sumithra Devi V., and radiologist, Dr. Aspaleka Binti Jayus from the Kajang Hospital to assist in diagnosing and counseling patients who has done the tests. Several other Medical Officers were also at hand to assist. 

This year’s community project is the School of Nursing’s second such project since 2008, which aims to bring quality health counseling and screenings to the surrounding community in a preventive bid to ensure the good health of the public. School of Nursing’s Associate Dean, Assoc. Prof. Jeya Devi Coomarasamy, says that the programme also serves as an avenue for UCSI University’s Nursing students to have hands-on learning experience. “Community projects such as this one provide our students with real-world learning experience, and are not something one can learn within the confines of the classrooms and textbooks.” 

In his speech, Dr. Robert Bong emphasized the importance of early detection – the main mission of the community project. “In a time where heart disease, mental illness and cancer rates are soaring, early detection and prevention are crucial to survival. Breast cancer, in particular is the most prevalent form of cancer in peninsular Malaysia. According to a 2006 report by the National Cancer Registry, more than 3500 female breast cancer cases registered in 2006, representing nearly 30 percent of all cancers reported in women.” En. Mohamad Yunus echoed the Vice Chancellor’s sentiments, and he hopes UCSI University will continue to champion the Rukun Tetangga by having more community projects all year round. 

Also present at the event was Mr. Nadarajah Chelliah, Chairman of Rukun Tetangga Taman Midah (Zon B), and several other members of the Rukun Tetangga. According to Mr. Nadarajah, UCSI University is among the only private universities to utilise the community centre to engage with the surrounding communities. “I have not heard of any other institution that has initiated projects like the one today in any of our other community centres.” He adds that community projects such as these are important as they bring people together. 

UCSI University lecturer, Associate Professor Dr. Babatunde O. Ogunbanjo from the School of Medicine and Mr. Sahadeva Prem Kumar, tutor from the School of Applied Sciences, were also at the event to assist in counseling patients after their have received their test results. Nursing students were also present to facilitate in the smooth flow of the health screenings. 

This community health screening project will be followed by another event to be held on campus later, which will focus on women’s health in honour of the Pink October month. All proceeds will then be tallied and handed over to the Hospis Malaysia.