Alor Setar parish hosts largest medical camp in northern district

Aug 30, 2024

By Dr Edwin Jude Gnanasegaran
The Church of St Michael became the hub for the largest medical camp in the northern district on August 16. The event, organised by the Malaysian Medical Association Kedah in collaboration with the Society of St Vincent De Paul Conference of St Michael, brought together a range of healthcare providers and organisations to offer vital health services to the local community.

Supported by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia; Lembaga Penduduk dan Pembangunan Keluarga Negara (LPPKN) Alor Setar; Aurelius Hospital Alor Setar; A-Plus Optometrist; DR Hearing and Speech Centre; Blood Transfusion Department and Organ Donation Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah; Dental Department Kota Setar-Pendang; Yakult; Pharmaniaga, and the Pharmacy Division of Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Kedah, the camp provided a comprehensive array of medical screenings and services.

These included general health screenings, specialised tests for women’s and men’s health, cancer screenings, dental check-ups, hearing and vision assessments, and a nutrition talk by Yakult. The camp also facilitated blood donations, organ donation pledges, and provided free HPV vaccinations.

The event attracted between 250 to 300 registered patients. Of these, approximately 30 successfully donated blood, 50 individuals pledged to become organ donors, and 60 HPV vaccinations were administered.

In addition to these services, the camp offered breast examinations; HPV DNA tests; Pap smears; screenings for lung and colon cancer; diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure monitoring; BMI assessments; hepatitis B and C screenings; hearing and vision check-ups, and dental examinations. Subsidised mammogram vouchers were distributed through LPPKN. Dr Helena Chai, an ophthalmologist from Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, conducted additional vision assessments.

The camp was officially inaugurated by Fr Michael Cheah, parish priest of Church of St Michael, who generously provided the church premises for the event. The collective efforts of the organising bodies and the active participation of the community contributed to the success of this significant health initiative, which not only delivered essential medical services but also fostered community engagement and support for public health.