Latest news with #UTARHospital
The Star
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Varsity students raise RM3,900 for hospital through plastic-free campaign
Chen (standing fifth from right) presenting the mock cheque to Prof Ewe (sixth from left) during the university's 40th convocation ceremony. A GROUP of graduates from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman's (UTAR) Public Relations programme donated close to RM4,000 to UTAR Hospital in Kampar. The 62 individuals raised RM3,858 through a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project called 'We Want No Plastic: We Are Fantastic Without Plastic'. Project director Chen Zhi Shan said a mock cheque presentation was held to hand over the funds to UTAR president Prof Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat was held during the university's 40th convocation ceremony. She said funds were raised through the sale of various items and community sponsorship. 'We sold fruits, yau char kwai (Chinese cruller), jelly, coffee and succulent plants. 'These items were packed in recyclable packaging or containers, which aligned with our campaign's goals,' she said, adding that it took about four months to raise the money. Chen said the group also sold merchandise such as tote bags and glass cups with glass straws to promote reusable items. 'The donation was also our way to give back to the community,' she said. The project, launched in June last year, was aimed at raising awareness of microplastic pollution, advocating for the reduction of single-use plastics as well as promoting healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyles. 'We were aware of the potential health risks posed by microplastics when preparing for this project, and this motivated us to make the project a reality. 'We hope that our efforts will not only impact the campus community but also raise broader awareness among the public,' said Chen. She said the group decided to donate the proceeds to the hospital as a gesture of gratitude. 'We want to give back to our alma mater and the community at large for their support in our academic journey. 'The donation supports the university's sustainability efforts and underscores its 'From Grads to Future Greats' message,' she added. In addition to expressing his gratitude for their contribution, Prof Ewe also congratulated the graduates on their achievement in securing UTAR's first-ever gold award in the Malaysia Public Relations Awards 2024 for their CSR project. ― By IVAN LOH
The Star
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Towards better healthcare access
Ministry, private hospital join hands to bring services to 12 villages in Kampar UTAR Hospital is collaborating with Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) in Perak to carry out the 'Kampungku' programme. The initiative is aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility and promoting preventive health awareness among communities in rural and underserved areas. The hospital's management team is in a discussion with the heads of new villages to finalise the programme. 'Kampungku' is an initiative to enhance the well-being of residents in new villages and improve their quality of life. The initiative, expected to commence this month, offers health screening services such as blood tests and specialist consultations to 12 selected villages in the Kampar area, including Malim Mawar, Chenderiang, Bidor and Tapah. The programme will also include services from UTAR Hospital's Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) Centre, incorporating traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture, tui na (massage) and gua sha (scrapping). The collaboration, consisting of a series of educational talks and community outreach activities, seeks to promote not only the importance of regular health screenings but also healthy lifestyles and emergency preparedness. UTAR Hospital chief executive officer and medical director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said: 'Continuous healthcare education is crucial to raise awareness of preventive measures among the community.' UTAR Hospital operation and business development director Abang Russaini Abang Zainal Abidin said, 'As the first private specialist hospital in Kampar, UTAR Hospital is uniquely and strategically positioned to extend not only healthcare and medical services but also healthcare awareness to surrounding areas, including the broader northern Perak region. 'This initiative reflects our core mission of 'Enriching and Caring for the Community'.' In a media statement, the officials said the collaboration between the ministry and UTAR Hospital marked a significant milestone not only in expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare for rural communities, but also in demonstrating a shared commitment to the health and welfare of underserved populations. 'This collaboration also marks a promising and potential step toward future public-private collaborations, where private healthcare institutions can play a key role in supporting efforts to deliver affordable and quality healthcare services to the community,' the statement added.
