By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: About 300 participants took part in the Merdeka CPR Fun Walk 2026 at Ecopark 1, Ipoh, recently, to raise public awareness of the importance of taking prompt action in the event of a cardiac emergency.
Organised by the Gunung Rapat Health Clinic, the programme was held in conjunction with the National Month celebrations, combining fitness activities, heart health awareness and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) education under the theme “CPR Fun WALK: CPR, Every Second Counts.”
Participants not only completed a two-kilometre walk but also gained hands-on exposure to basic CPR through activities at five checkpoints along the route.
The approach made CPR learning more interactive while highlighting the importance of taking immediate action while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.
The programme brought together staff from the Gunung Rapat Health Clinic, Kinta District Health Office, the clinic’s advisory panel, the local community and various stakeholders.
One of the programme’s key highlights was the strategic collaboration between a primary healthcare clinic and tertiary private hospitals, involving Hospital Seri Botani, KMC Medical Centre and Perak Community Specialist Hospital.
The collaboration reflected a whole-of-healthcare approach aimed at linking primary healthcare services with hospital expertise to strengthen health education and community preparedness in dealing with cardiac emergencies.
It also conveyed the message that saving lives is not the responsibility of a single organisation, but requires concerted efforts involving healthcare facilities, the private sector, healthcare personnel and the community.
The programme stressed that in the event of a cardiac arrest, prompt action by members of the public before medical teams arrive can play a crucial role in saving lives.
The organisers hope the exposure will boost public confidence to respond quickly and appropriately when faced with a cardiac emergency.
