Campaign to keep the doctor at bay
DOCTORS around the world believe that prevention is better than cure, and staff and students at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) are no different.
In fact, they have decided to put their belief into action by launching an annual Health Week.
Held at their state-of-the-art campus in Nusajaya, the initiative was developed to encourage both staff and students to find new ways to lead a healthy lifestyle and help prevent illness and disease.
It has proved so successful that it has grown into a major event in the university calendar.
In its first year, Health Week was centred on an installation on Breast Cancer Awareness in the university’s state-of-the-art library. Now, in only its second year, it has grown into a full-fledged engagement programme involving NUMed students, faculty staff and external partners.
The usually peaceful library was transformed into an exhibition space filled with displays about much more than breast cancer, including how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat well and be part of NUMed’s first blood donation drive.
The centrepiece is an impressive art installation on which students have made their own personal mark.
The “Thumb on A Ribbon” initiative is a collage of iconic breast cancer ribbons, each bearing thumbprints.
This complements last year’s Wishing Tree, which was “planted” in the library for students to write and hang their hopes on paper “leaves”.
The Tree has since become a “blossoming” landmark as a reminder of the successful campaign.
During Health Week, the popular university cafeteria was a key partner. Recognising that healthy living begins with healthy eating, students and faculty staff were treated to a special menu.
The Tyne Café took extra care to use healthy cooking methods, cutting down on fats, sugar and salt and students were encouraged to increase their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables from a Health Week salad corner.
At the same time, NUMed held its first on-campus blood donation drive to generate much-needed supplies for the blood bank at Hospital Sultan Ismail. In total, 59 staff and students gave blood.
The donations will prove vital for emergency and surgical needs, as blood banks require continual replenishment. Some students may even find themselves using the donations themselves, as many have clinical sessions and undergo housemanship at Hospital Sultan Ismail.
“As doctors we need to remember that prevention is better than cure. By creating the tradition of Health Week, NUMed is making an ongoing commitment to ensure that tomorrow’s doctors not only offer the right advice, but also practise what they preach,” says NUMed chief executive officer and provost Prof Reg Jordan.
Campus-wide activities, such as Health Week, are a central part of the learning and on-campus experience at Newcastle University, UK as well.
The school ensures that all students enjoy a vibrant social, sporting and cultural offering to complement the high-quality medical and biomedical education provided at the university’s state-of-the-art branch campus in Nusajaya.
This is one of the many similarities between both campuses. They also share identical standards, teaching methods and curriculums.
The teaching faculty prides itself on offering truly rounded medical and biomedical degrees that provide the technical, practical and communication skills required to reach the top of the biomedical and medical profession.
Selected staff members even rotate between the two, which truly ensures NUMed and Newcastle University, UK benefit from the best each campus has to offer.
About NUMed
Newcastle University UK has established an international branch campus in Johor to provide its undergraduate degrees in Medicine (MBBS) and Biomedical Sciences (BSc), as well as opportunities for postgraduate study.
The programmes are equivalent to those of Newcastle’s UK-based provision, and lead to the award of the same degrees.
By choosing to study at NUMed Malaysia, students will obtain a reputable British qualification from an internationally recognised university at a cost significantly less than studying in the United Kingdom.
Many of the programmes offer opportunities for periods of study in the UK.
Applications for enrolment are now invited for the MBBS and BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science programme intakes in September 2014.
To apply, log on to www.newcastle.edu.my