Young medics bring healing, hope to streets
Chin (right) providing assistance in a child's health check during a screening session at their mobile clinic.
IN the heart of Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, a group of medical students from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) set up a makeshift clinic to offer free health screenings to the homeless and underserved.
The initiative was by Asian Medical Students Association (Amsa) Malaysia, in collaboration with Malaysian Heart Health Association (MyHeart).
The Feed the Needy 2.0 outreach programme provided basic services such as blood pressure checks, glucose testing, and medical consultations.
The volunteers found that many people in this area were without these basic services for years.
'It breaks my heart to know some people go years without knowing if they have high blood pressure or diabetes,' said event director Chin Min Le, a second-year medical student and Amsa-UPM president.
'Being a future doctor isn't just about treating people in clinics; it's about seeing the human being behind every story, no matter where they are.
'Everyone deserves to be seen, cared for and treated with dignity. Through 'Feed the Needy', we are not just checking vitals, we are saying you matter.'
The event saw many homeless individuals from diverse backgrounds, including single mothers and the elderly, who shared how difficult it was for them to access even the most basic health services.
One elderly man, who has lived on the streets for over a decade, said: 'I thought no one cared about us anymore. When I saw the students smiling, holding our hands and asking how we felt, it reminded me of my own children.'
Nearby, a young woman, currently staying in a shelter, shared a similar sentiment.
'We struggle to find food, let alone see a doctor.
'This might seem small to others, but to us, it's everything. Thank you for helping us.'
While the focus was on care, the experience also left a mark on the students themselves where many were stepping outside the lecture hall and into the raw reality of healthcare for the first time.
'This is where medicine begins,' said Chin.
'In the eyes of people who are often forgotten. This is why we study so hard, so that we can make a difference.'
The volunteers also handed out basic health kits and light meals.
Amsa-UPM hopes to make this a recurring initiative to reach underserved communities.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
18 hours ago
- The Star
Young medics bring healing, hope to streets
Chin (right) providing assistance in a child's health check during a screening session at their mobile clinic. IN the heart of Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, a group of medical students from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) set up a makeshift clinic to offer free health screenings to the homeless and underserved. The initiative was by Asian Medical Students Association (Amsa) Malaysia, in collaboration with Malaysian Heart Health Association (MyHeart). The Feed the Needy 2.0 outreach programme provided basic services such as blood pressure checks, glucose testing, and medical consultations. The volunteers found that many people in this area were without these basic services for years. 'It breaks my heart to know some people go years without knowing if they have high blood pressure or diabetes,' said event director Chin Min Le, a second-year medical student and Amsa-UPM president. 'Being a future doctor isn't just about treating people in clinics; it's about seeing the human being behind every story, no matter where they are. 'Everyone deserves to be seen, cared for and treated with dignity. Through 'Feed the Needy', we are not just checking vitals, we are saying you matter.' The event saw many homeless individuals from diverse backgrounds, including single mothers and the elderly, who shared how difficult it was for them to access even the most basic health services. One elderly man, who has lived on the streets for over a decade, said: 'I thought no one cared about us anymore. When I saw the students smiling, holding our hands and asking how we felt, it reminded me of my own children.' Nearby, a young woman, currently staying in a shelter, shared a similar sentiment. 'We struggle to find food, let alone see a doctor. 'This might seem small to others, but to us, it's everything. Thank you for helping us.' While the focus was on care, the experience also left a mark on the students themselves where many were stepping outside the lecture hall and into the raw reality of healthcare for the first time. 'This is where medicine begins,' said Chin. 'In the eyes of people who are often forgotten. This is why we study so hard, so that we can make a difference.' The volunteers also handed out basic health kits and light meals. Amsa-UPM hopes to make this a recurring initiative to reach underserved communities.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
S'wak's first veterinary institute in Semenggok set to address vet shortage in state
Dr Rundi speaks to reporters at the PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd Halal Abattoir Complex. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 5): Sarawak's first-ever veterinary institute is now in its final stages of planning and approval, marking a significant milestone in the state's push to strengthen its livestock and animal health services. State Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the veterinary school, which will be located in Semenggok, is a crucial step in addressing the chronic shortage of veterinarians in the state. 'We only have 15 veterinarians in Sarawak. I went to Brazil – they have 4,000 there. 'So bear with us because we are doing our best (to address the shortage),' he said when met during a working visit to the PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd Halal Abattoir Complex in Siburan, here today. Dr Rundi revealed that the establishment of the veterinary institute is in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), particularly through its Bintulu campus, following in-principle agreement with the university. According to him, having a dedicated veterinary faculty in Sarawak will allow the state to train its own experts and reduce reliance on external manpower, especially from neighbouring countries. Nevertheless, he said Sarawak in the short term may still need to source veterinarians from Indonesia or Peninsular Malaysia to make up for the current shortage. He also noted that once operational, the Semenggok-based institute will be able to produce around 50 veterinary graduates annually, greatly enhancing the state's capacity to provide animal healthcare and support its growing agriculture sector. Dr Rundi also informed that he, together with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, have been invited to an event with UPM at the end of this month. 'There, we will officially take on UPM Bintulu as Sarawak's UPM. Even the Sultan of Selangor, who is UPM Chancellor, has shown strong support for this initiative,' he said. He said with UPM Sarawak in place, the accreditation process for the institute will be much easier. 'In principle, we've more or less finalised everything. We are working on the financing and other logistics.' The plan to establish such an institute in Sarawak was first discussed as early as 2022, with the state government viewing it as a key priority to improve food security, zoonotic disease control, and workforce development in animal-related industries. Dr Rundi said with neighbouring Sabah having more veterinarians than Sarawak, it became clear that Sarawak needed to build its own capacity to match and eventually improve its veterinary services. The new institute, when completed, will be only the third of its kind in Malaysia after UPM Serdang and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, and the first such faculty in Borneo. It will offer both Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Diploma in Animal Health and Husbandry (DKHP) programmes, with an expected intake of 50 and 70 students respectively each year. 'This is not just about numbers. Once we have our own university and institute, we can plan for what Sarawak truly needs in forestry, agriculture, and manpower. 'We take control of our future,' said Dr Rundi. Also present during the visit were Dr Rundi's deputy minister Datuk Martin Ben, and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain. Dr Stephen Rundi Utom lead semenggok veterinary institute
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Ripening agent in imported durians could pose health risks if misused
KUALA LUMPUR: The surge of imported durians in the market has sparked concerns among consumers, following claims that these fruits may contain chemicals potentially linked to chronic illnesses, including cancer. Professor Dr Norsida Man, from the Department of Agribusiness and Bioresource Economics at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), confirmed that a chemical called ethephon is widely used in the agricultural sector. Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) is a plant growth regulator. It is a synthetic compound that breaks down into ethylene gas when absorbed by fruit or exposed to specific levels of moisture and temperature. "The compound reacts with water in the fruit's tissues to release ethylene gas — a natural plant hormone that triggers the ripening process," she said. However, she cautioned that if the fruit is harvested before it fully matures, the ripening process becomes incomplete. This results in fruit that appears ripe but has an inconsistent texture, a weaker aroma, and a less intense flavour. Ethephon is permitted in many countries but is subject to maximum residue limits that must be strictly followed. "Toxic effects can occur if ethephon is overused or if the ripening period before sale is insufficient — typically three to seven days are needed for the residues to break down." "In small doses and when used properly, it is not harmful. But what worries consumers is uncontrolled usage, especially in large-scale export industries driven by profit," she added. Common effects of ethephon use include unnatural taste and smell, inconsistent texture, and unstable quality of the fruit. "Exceeding safe limits may lead to potential long-term health effects such as hormonal disruption and organ damage, especially when used excessively and without regulation. "This issue highlights the dilemma between modern market demands and natural food quality. In the long run, rising consumer awareness could drive demand for more authentic, chemically unaltered durians," she said. Norsida also noted that in Thailand, durians are cultivated in various regions — the south, east, and central areas — allowing for a longer harvest season. The main season runs from March to July, while in southern regions near the Malaysian border, it may extend until September. In Malaysia, the main durian season typically occurs between May and August, particularly in states such as Pahang, Johor, Perak, and Penang. A secondary season, if it happens, typically runs from November to January, depending on weather and regional factors.
