IMU Clinical Schools Staff and Students Serve the Community

In 2014, a number of IMU Cares projects were conducted by Clinical Schools of the International Medical University (IMU) in conjunction with the 15th Anniversary of the MBBS IMU. Cancer Awareness Website On 2 January, 2014 the Cancer Awareness Website of IMU was launched. It is a cancer awareness information and education website free to all to use with articles contributed by IMU faculty. At the launching, Dr Sangeetha, who initiated this project, spoke on how she was supported by various agencies including students and other faculty members of the Clinical School who contributed articles. She also received help and articles from the Breast Cancer Support Group of Seremban. The website is now coordinated by Dr Kavitha and is growing in its articles and reach. These articles can be viewed at https://www.imu.edu.my/news-tags/cancer/ Promoting Adolescent Health Project On 10 April, 2014, an Adolescent Health Project was conducted at a Secondary School – SMK Dato Abdul Samad, Kuala Pilah. This comprised of an interactive educational programme focusing on adolescent reproductive, mental and nutritional health. Teachers were also educated on issues related to Adolescents. Its objective was to increase awareness of reproductive health and how to handle common issues among adolescents, increase awareness of mental health issues and their roles within the community of adolescents and facilitate school counsellors to recognize and manage common adolescent health problems. Read more about this at https://imunews.imu.edu.my/students/imu-imc-students-promotes-adolescent-health-kuala-pilah/ Kg Sebir – Kampung Angkat Project

Kampung Sebir is an Orang Asli village on the outskirts of Seremban. The village has an approximate population of 200 people. Since the beginning of 2014, we have established monthly primary care service in Kampung Sebir in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Primary Care clinics in the vicinity. In the last few months, we managed a successful transition into a fully student – led community engagement project with mentoring by staff/faculty. Several health educational events focusing on important health promotion and prevention issues were conducted such as talks on asthma and dengue. It recently won third-prize in Talloires Network Leaders Conference video competition.

Health Screen & Cancer Awareness Day at Kluang On 10 May 2014 a Health Screen and Cancer Awareness Program was conducted at Kluang Mall, Kluang, Johor by faculty, staff and Semester 10 IMU Medical Students. A total of 170 people were screened at this event.It also included a Blood and Organ Donation drive through a collaboration of Hospital Kluang. Elderly Homes IMU Cares Project Conducted twice on 9 April and 8 June, 2014 a general health screen and special eye, ENT and general surgery screening in aged care homes around Seremban was conducted. A total of 114 aged individuals were screened. Health screening was carried out to detect chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Those who were detected to have these conditions were appropriately referred. Health education was also provided on lifestyle, diet, exercise, smoking cessation and self-examination of breast. Batu Pahat’s Kampung Angkat (Adopted village) Project On 11 Oct 2014, Kampung Parit Lapis in Batu Pahat was chosen as IMU Clinical School, Batu Pahat’s Kampung Angkat (adopted village) project. The population of the kampung consists of 1249 persons in 245 household with 97% of them being Malays. The project was officially opened by the local Member of Parliament, YB Dato Idris Jauzi and ADUN YB Gan Peck Cheng. Health screening, health education and health interventions were conducted by students and faculty in collaboration with Ministry of Health Colleagues and will continue to be conducted on a regular basis. IMU Cares Project ‘Be Smart, Choose Your Heart’ On 13 December, 2014, an IMU Cares Community Project organised by the Student Representative Council will be conducted at AEON Shopping Mall in Seremban 2. The event was successfully carried out in collaboration with Hospital Tuanku Jaafar Seremban (HTJS)’s Blood Bank and Top Team, AEON S2 Shopping Centre as well as the Residents Committee (Rukun Tetangga) of Park Avenue Seremban 2. Other than health screening, there was also a blood donation drive as well as organ pledge drive and a donation collection for our benefactor, Hospice Seremban. 210 participants were screened on the event day, with 13 referrals made to Hospital Tuanku Jaafar. 62 of these participants also donated blood.