As part of the IMU Cares community engagement programme, and in alignment with IMU’s mission to promote health, safety, and emergency preparedness in underserved communities, a team from the School of Medicine and Clinical Skills Department conducted a Basic Life Support (BLS) Training and Health Education Project at Pure Life Society, Batu 6, Jalan Puchong, on 5 October 2025.

The initiative aimed to equip caregivers—house mothers, teachers, and staff members—with essential life-saving skills such as CPR, AED use, and choking management, while also engaging resident children through interactive demonstrations and refresher sessions on sex education and personal safety.

This one-day programme, held in collaboration with St John Ambulance Malaysia, empowered participants with practical emergency response skills and further strengthened IMU’s ongoing commitment to meaningful, community-driven outreach.

A preliminary needs assessment visit enabled the IMU team to better understand the community’s priorities. Discussions with Sumathi (General Manager) and Malar (Educational Instructor) revealed that a recent cardiac emergency involving a staff member had prompted an urgent need for CPR and AED training.

Originally planned to include nutritional and vision screening, the project was redesigned to focus on life-saving skills in response to this identified need. The final programme featured hands-on BLS training, demonstrations by St John Ambulance Malaysia, and age-appropriate education sessions for children.

Although students were not involved in this cycle, IMU staff led all aspects of content design, coordination, and facilitation, ensuring high-quality, skill-based learning for caregivers and senior children.

The event began with a BLS training session for caregivers and teachers, facilitated by the Clinical Skills Department team. Participants learned adult CPR, choking management, and AED operation through guided, hands-on practice using mannequins and training aids.

Simultaneously, St John Ambulance Malaysia conducted a lively two-hour CPR and choking demonstration for children. The sessions, tailored for both junior and senior groups, encouraged active participation and storytelling-based learning, keeping the children fully engaged throughout.

In the afternoon, IMU facilitators led small-group refresher sessions on sex education and personal safety, reinforcing key lessons from previous engagements in 2024. Caregivers expressed heartfelt appreciation for the training, while the children’s enthusiasm reflected their eagerness to learn.

Core facilitator Joann Lalita Nathan shared:

“When we heard about the incident that led to their request for CPR training, it became clear this wasn’t just another outreach—it was a community in need of life-saving skills. Being part of such a meaningful initiative was truly fulfilling.”

Jacintha Anita Aroksamy added:

“This project was unique because we were responding directly to a specific, emotional event. That gave our work deeper purpose.”

Sumathi, General Manager of Pure Life Society, expressed her gratitude:

“The session was truly invaluable. Saving a life is not easy, but it’s so important. We hope this collaboration continues—thank you to everyone who made today possible.”

The event was facilitated by IMU Clinical Skills Department staff – Joann Lalita Nathan,  Jacintha Anita Aroksamy, and Nithia Ramasamy – together with Dr Jaiprakash Mohanraj, Dr Heethal Jaiprakash, Dr Sunil P, and Dr Anupa Shivakumar, in collaboration with St John Ambulance Malaysia and the Pure Life Society team.

The BLS training successfully achieved its objectives and laid a strong foundation for future collaborations, including the potential for certified training programmes for caregivers.

This initiative reaffirmed the power of focused, needs-driven engagement and demonstrated how IMU’s partnerships continue to create lasting, life-changing impact within the communities it serves.

Prepared by A/Prof Jaiprakash Mohanraj, Human Biology Division, School of Medicine, IMU