On the 23rd of April, the day came when 65 students from the Faculty of Pharmacy participated in a heartfelt outreach program called “Operasi Khidmat Masyarakat” (OPKIM) that was held at Felda Lembah Klau, Pahang. This noble initiative is carried out every year to urgently spread awareness to the community regarding health issues that everyone should be aware of, aligned with their slogan “Kesedaran Hari Ini, Kesihatan Masa Depan” (Awareness Today, Health for the Future). Students spent five days living with the community, filled with meaningful moments.
The first day began with an opening speech by the OPKIM Program Director, Mr. Aqeel, followed by a warm address from the Deputy Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Ernieda Md Hatah. The atmosphere was lifted up with a welcoming speech from the Manager of Felda Lembah Klau, Mr. Izmi followed by an official launch gimmick, which marked the start of the program. Moving on, “Majlis Penyerahan Anak Angkat” (Adopted Family Introduction Ceremony) was carried out, officially connecting the student-host family.
Health exhibitions were held at Pasar Pagi on the next day from 9.00 a.m to 11.30 a.m. Various booths were opened to shed light on common health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, the dangers of smoking and vaping, and to educate the community on whether their medicines are registered with the National Pharmacy Regulatory Agency (NPRA). There were also UKM’s merchandise, vitamins, and supplements available for sale. Health screenings were also provided. Home Medication Review (HMR) is a key point of OPKIM where multiple groups of pharmacy students visited the villagers to check everything that is related to their medicine use. For instance, they ensure that medications are taken according to the prescription to promote adherence, and they check whether the medicines are stored properly to maintain their quality. To strengthen the bond with the community, several sports were successfully contested, such as football, netball, and telematches — suits for kids and adults.
The third day began. Half of the students participated in rewang, helping with the communal cooking for Hari Raya Celebration. Everyone lent a hand to each other, ensuring the preparations went smoothly. The rest joined a school program, giving a talk to elementary students. The awaited moment had arrived and everyone contributed to a festive atmosphere, embracing the joy of the celebration. Among the mouth-watering delicacies were lontong, nasi himpit kuah kacang, rendang, and more. It was a truly memorable moment. At night, a health talk was delivered for the villagers fostering a sense of health awareness and spiritual well-being.
Early in the morning, all students together took part in a gotong-royong session at the field to keep up the cleanliness and beautify the village. The highlight of the day was Cultural Night, in which students showcased their talents through dancing, singing, and playing instruments — and even the villagers joined in for karaoke. Before it ended, a few lucky participants won prizes from the lucky draw.
The closing ceremony was well received by the villagers. OPKIM concluded with closing remarks by the committee members and manager of the village. It would be an unforgettable moment for 2025.
Written by: Nurul Nadiah Farhanah
