In a collaborative venture, Faculty of Management, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)’s Bachelor of Management (Marketing) final year students, a residents’ association, and a pharmacy conducted a compassionate Service Learning project entitled “Non-Communicable Diseases: Face It or Avoid It?”, as part of the Healthcare Marketing class project mentored by Dr. Norzaidahwati Zaidin.
This community engagement programme, providing essential insights into disease prevention and management, occurred on 6 January 2024 at Phase 6B, Taman Impian Emas, Skudai, Johor. It aimed to confront the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the community and was
realised through collaboration between Faculty of Management, PERITA (the residents’ association of Phase 6B, Taman Impian Emas), Alpro Pharmacy, and several medical doctors from both public and private hospitals and health clinics. The highlight of the project was complimentary medical check-ups from Alpro Pharmacy, enhanced by the specialised counselling of four medical doctors on NCDs. Approximately 100 residents engaged actively in discussions, acquiring valuable knowledge and insights into disease prevention.
PERITA, a dedicated residents’ association, places the utmost priority on its community’s safety and harmony. Recognising the need for health initiatives among the 30 percent of residents experiencing health issues,
particularly those advancing in age, PERITA eagerly collaborated with FM’s Healthcare. Marketing students. The joint effort led to a significant increase in health literacy amongst the PERITA residents, enabling them to manage their health proactively.
The FM students successfully developed persuasive strategies to boost health literacy and promote proactive health management. This initiative not only provided robust training for students in devising effective health and healthcare promotion strategies, but also mirrored PERITA’s dedication to enhancing its members’ health and societal harmony. The lasting impact of this project transcends the academic sphere, positively affecting the community’s health and welfare.
