Dr Keith Robert Thomas and Prof. Dr Daw Win Kyi officiating the event with the release of balloons during UCSI University's recent Public Health Campaign in Terengganu

Dr Keith Thomas presenting a token of appreciation on behalf of UCSI University to Dr Norlida Binti Suhaimi, Medical Officer from Department of Anesthesiology & ICU of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah for gracing the event

A medical student at the UCSI University Terengganu campus checking the blood pressure of one of the participants during the Public Heath Campaign that was held in conjunction with the University's 25th Anniversary Celebrations

Kuala Terengganu, 02 April, 2011 - Medical students at UCSI University’s Terengganu Campus recently held a public health campaign in conjunction with the University’s silver jubilee celebrations. Besides providing appropriate health education to the public, the Campaign also served as a platform for the budding doctors to expand their knowledge on community medicine and its significance. It also heightened their sense of responsibility on public health care in line with the University’s aspirations of transcending classroom borders in providing practical opportunities for students’ holistic enhancement.

Giving the welcome address, Professor Dr Daw Win Kyi, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University’s Terengganu Campus, highlighted their efforts in taking preventing measures as well as promoting health among the community. “We have to start appreciating the contributions of the private sector on public health which I hope will be beneficial to the community,” she added in closing.
 
“Every individual is part of our responsibility,” said Associate Professor Dr Keith Robert Thomas, Dean of the Faculty of Education at UCSI University Terengganu Campus. He went on to add that effective communication and trust underpins the University’s efforts in giving back to the community as he officially declared the launch of the Campaign. A bundle of 50 colourful balloons were also released by Dr Keith Thomas and Prof. Dr Daw, to symbolise the opening of the event.

The Campaign was co-organised and sponsored by Yang Berbahagia Toh Chin Yaw, Chairman of the Terengganu State Industry, Trade and Environment Committee, who graced the event, and was also supported by My Socks Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and The Lions Club. 

Other collaborators at the event included nurses from the Terengganu State Health Office, the exhibition team from the Kuala Terengganu District Health Office, a team of 15 medical staff from the Blood Transfusion Unit of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, and a team of 5 nurses and 1 doctor from the Transplant Organ Procurement (TOP) Team also of the Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah.

Among the services offered during the health campaign were, Blood Glucose Test, Blood Pressure Test, Body Mass Index Assessment, Blood Donation Drive, as well as an Exhibition and a registration counter by The Transplant Organ Procurement team to encourage the public to register as organ donors. 

To promote the Campaign and to draw in the crowds to the screening site that was held at the KTB Parking Lot for easy access, flyer distributions were strategically placed around the compounds of Mydin Mall and the Konsortium Transnasional Berhad (KTB) Building.

Overall, 62 pints of blood were collected from the donors while 30 participants had registered themselves as organ donors. Subsequently, those who were found to be hypertensive or diabetic at a critical level were referred to various district health clinics and hospitals for further evaluations of their health status, as well as advised to seek further treatment.