KAMPAR, 17 April – The “Heart to Health: Healthy U, Healthy Community” campaign, organised by Public Relations students of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), was successfully held yesterday at Heritage Hall, UTAR Kampar Campus. Bringing together health professionals, students, and the wider community, the campaign spotlighted a growing concern, the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risks among young people, while encouraging a shift from awareness to meaningful, preventive action.
The core highlight of the event was the “One-Stop Health Screening”, supported by the main collaborator, UTAR Hospital, and the Dietetics Society. This close collaboration not only enhanced the event’s professionalism and credibility through the involvement of healthcare practitioners, but also reflected a shared commitment to promoting preventive healthcare in a more personal and accessible way. Beyond providing screenings, the initiative encouraged participants to better understand their health conditions, recognise early risk factors, and adopt healthier lifestyle choices, reinforcing the message that prevention is always better than cure. Participants completed blood pressure and glucose tests, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), and professional consultations through an interactive stamp-collection system.
Notably, the event surpassed expectations, drawing an overwhelming turnout of approximately 400 participants, double the initially projected 200. This remarkable response not only reflects the growing public awareness of and concern for heart health, but also underscores the campaign’s strong relevance and resonance within the community.
Campaign Chairperson, Kee Yen Yi, stated, “We have observed increasingly unhealthy lifestyle habits among today’s youth, leading to an earlier onset of heart diseases. More importantly, this campaign is not just a project, but a dedicated effort to bridge the gap between health awareness and action. Therefore, beyond the campus screening, we extended our efforts through various initiatives, including a school visitation at Pei Yuan High School. With the support of our partner, H2H Medicare Group, we provided CPR and AED training to 176 students, bringing life-saving knowledge into the wider community. This focus on CPR and AED education is especially important, as equipping individuals with the correct and practical skills can make a critical difference during cardiac emergencies, where immediate response is often key to saving lives. Through our screenings, educational outreach, and interactive activities, we aim to transform health education into an engaging and accessible experience, encouraging individuals to take proactive steps towards better heart health.”
The expert seminars also drew a full-house audience, reflecting strong interest from participants. Internal Medicine Consultant Dr Yip Li Yee delivered an engaging talk titled “From Bubble Tea to Clogged Arteries: Heart Disease is Not Just for the 60s,” while TCM Practitioner Ms Teh Shim Hui offered insights through “Heart Wellness Wisdom in Traditional Chinese Medicine.” These sessions were particularly meaningful due to the integration of perspectives, combining Western medical insights with Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering participants a more holistic and culturally enriched understanding of heart health prevention.
Officiating the opening ceremony, Dr Lee Lai Meng, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS), highlighted how initiatives like this demonstrate the power of communication, not only in raising awareness, but also in making important knowledge, such as heart health and first aid, more relatable, actionable, and impactful within the community.
The Main Screening Day marked the final chapter of the “Heart to Health” campaign series, following earlier efforts including the soft launch and school outreach. In total, the campaign reached and impacted approximately 800 individuals. While the event has come to an end, its impact continues, with participants walking away not only more aware and informed, but also more empowered to take small yet meaningful steps towards better heart health in their daily lives.
