China students promote health awareness in Ranau
An entourage of 13 nursing students from the University of Hunan China, who are doing their three-month elective tenure with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Malaysia Sabah recently took part in the UMS-led health promotion activity held at Kampung Mesilau Ranau.
The Chinese students were accompanied by UMS nursing lecturers, Associate Professor Segaran, Soong and Dr Norkiah.
According to the coordinator of the China-UMS elective program, Soong, the purpose of the trip is to give the Chinese students first-hand experience on the service delivery of various health programs among the rural communities in Sabah.
Among the health-related activities the Chinese students witnessed with hands-on experience were maternal and child health screening, vaccination procedures, visual acuity screening, health education on maintaining wellness and lifestyle advice on prevention of hypertension and diabetes.
Feedback from a second year student who is doing her degree in nursing from Hunan University China, Xing Ting Ting claimed: “we are surprised to learn that even in the rural areas of Sabah there is access to primary healthcare and none is left out.”
Besides involving the healthrelated activities, the Chinese students gained insight into the rich cultural diversity and health practices among different ethnic communities in Sabah.
According to nursing lecturer AP Segaran, the Chinese students’ exposure to the rural communities served as an important transcultural learning endeavor, as those who eventually become nurses need to be culturally competent with ‘a holistic sense of appreciation and sensitivity to the culture and health beliefs of others.’