Karnival Mesra Ubat 2023: Fostering Kidney Health and Community Awareness
The 13th Karnival Mesra Ubat (KaMU) held on May 19th and 20th, 2023, was a resounding success, organised by the passionate Pharmacy students at University of Cyberjaya. With the theme "Kesihatan Asas Kebahagiaan" (Health is the Foundation of Blissfulness), the event aimed to promote the importance of kidney health, educate the community about healthy lifestyle practices, and enhance understanding regarding the appropriate use of medications and supplements.
Day 1: Active Engagement and Community Bonding
The first day of the event witnessed a wide range of engaging activities. The highlight was an invigorating aerobic exercise session that brought joy to the elderly residents of Pusat Jagaan Al-Fikrah. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and enthusiasm as the elderly actively participated in the exercise routine. Alongside this, the dedicated committees also organised “gotong-royong” (community work), mural painting, and landscape activities, creating a vibrant and visually appealing environment.
Collaboration with students from the Diploma in Cosmetics and Bachelor of Physiotherapy programmes added diversity to the event. Diploma in Cosmetics students offered complimentary haircuts and facial services, while Bachelor of Physiotherapy students provided much-needed rehabilitation services to immobilised elderly individuals. These activities successfully fostered a positive relationship between the university students and the elderly residents of Pusat Jagaan Al-Fikrah.
On the second day, approximately 150 residents from Kampung Sungai Sekamat actively participated in the event. The highlight of the day was an insightful Awareness Talk on Kidney Health delivered by representatives from KKM (Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia). The talk provided valuable information and emphasized the significance of maintaining kidney health.
Day 2: Empowering the Community
On the second day, approximately 150 residents from Kampung Sungai Sekamat actively participated in the event. The highlight of the day was an insightful Awareness Talk on Kidney Health delivered by representatives from KKM (Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia). The talk provided valuable information and emphasised the significance of maintaining kidney health.
The UoC Medical Check-up team offered free health check-ups to the participants, ensuring that they had access to essential healthcare services. A counselling session was also conducted to address any concerns from the health check-up.
The event would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors, who played a crucial role in making KaMU 2023 a grand success. The event’s main sponsor was Antah Health Care Group, one of the largest Malaysian-owned healthcare marketing and distribution company in the country.
The university also appreciates the contributions of the gold sponsors: CARiNG Pharmacy, MooGoo Skin Care, Rilax Malaysia, GoodMorning Global, Empro Image Solution, and M.S. Ally Pharma and Yakult Malaysia. Additionally, the University also thanks PermaiRx, Farmasi Wandi, DTC Scientific, Clarity Excel Sdn. Bhd. and McCoy Teas for their valuable support.
"Organising the event was an incredible experience. Despite the inevitable challenges, the process was uplifting, and all our efforts were worth it. The most memorable moment was hearing the participants' feedback, knowing that we made a positive impact on their health. This experience taught me valuable skills in communication and teamwork, as we collaborated with various external parties," said Ng Zhi Qi, Student Director of the 13th Karnival Mesra Ubat.
The experience was invaluable in shaping students into well-rounded future pharmacists who are capable of making a positive difference in the lives of patients. The event stands as a testament to the dedication and commitment of the students to making a difference in the community.
This event contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
