1.4 – Community anti-poverty programmes

1.4.3 – Programmes for services access

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is committed to improving access to essential services through community-focused training and outreach programs. These initiatives aim to promote health, well-being and social inclusion among students, staff and surrounding communities. The following programs demonstrate UKM’s efforts in providing accessible services and fostering a caring, sustainable campus environment.

1. Elderly Care Program Faculty of Medicine

A total of 70 residents of the Al Fikrah Care Center, Kajang were celebrated in the Elderly Care Program (Santuni Warga Emas Program) organized by lecturers from the Department of Family Medicine and postgraduates of the Doctor of Family Medicine Degree, UKM on 28 July 2024.

This program was also enlivened by the presence of Chancellor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital (HCTM) Primary Clinic staff and volunteers from the Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA). The Al Fikrah Care Center is an NGO run by the Malaysian Al Fikrah Welfare Association in collaboration with the Malaysian Medical Social Work Association since 2012. This care center houses male and female residents who are homeless, receive temporary or permanent placements, residents who are indigent, have no relatives and are facing social problems. It also provides placement to patients discharged from hospitals who are not claimed or have no relatives.

With the slogan “Sharing the Infirmary with Us,” the Care Center holds various enrichment programs for all residents. Programs such as Quran study classes, jurisprudence and fardhu ain, gotong-royong activities, counseling sessions, recreation, personal skills and handicrafts. Several activities were carried out during the Menyantuni Warga Emas program, including health screenings, mental and dementia checks, chairobic exercises, sports, lucky draws, presentation of cooking material donations, and health talks.

2. UKM-GSB Drinking Water Endowment Campaign

This campaign aims to provide a continuous supply of clean drinking water to students, staff, and the general public, specifically to assist students in reducing their daily financial burden. Clean drinking water is a basic necessity and this initiative ensures that all individuals at UKM-GSB have unrestricted access to this resource.

3. Elderly Outreach Program

On 31st August 2024, Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM organized The Elderly Outreach Program, which significantly contributes to improving access to basic services for all, in alignment with SDG 1: No Poverty. By providing free and comprehensive health screenings, counseling and health education to 100 elderly participants, the program ensures that vulnerable and low-income senior citizens, many of whom face financial and mobility constraints, can access essential healthcare services without cost barriers. The collaboration with Lembaga Zakat Selangor further enhances inclusivity by extending support to those who may otherwise be excluded from regular medical care. Beyond medical assistance, the program delivers psychosocial support to reduce loneliness and improve mental well-being, addressing social dimensions of poverty that affect quality of life. Through early disease detection, preventive education, and community-based outreach, UKM’s initiative effectively reduces health-related financial burdens, empowers the elderly to lead healthier, more independent lives and promotes equitable access to fundamental services within the community.

4. OPKOM-31 – Optometry Community Service

OPKOM-31 was held on 28 April 2024 in Kampung Santubong, Kuching, Sarawak, as part of the Faculty of Health Sciences’, UKM long-standing community optometry outreach program. It was designed to provide accessible eye care services to rural communities with limited healthcare access.The objectives of this initiative were to provide free eye examinations and vision screenings, raise awareness on the importance of eye health, and offer free eyeglasses to those in need to improve daily functioning. It also sought to strengthen student involvement in community-based health services.

The program included health talks, vision screenings, refraction tests, distribution of free eyeglasses, and interactive engagement sessions between the community and optometry students. With the participation of 324 community members, OPKOM-31 successfully improved access to eye care, enabled early detection of vision problems, and supported daily functioning through the provision of free eyeglasses. The program also provided students with valuable hands-on learning experiences while strengthening ties between UKM and the local community.

5. Toddler Oral Health Program

This program was organized by the Faculty of Dentistry, UKM.  The Toddler Oral Health Program was held on 23 July 2024 at Taska Permata, UKM Health Campus, Kolej Tun Syed Nasir. The program highlighted the importance of oral health among children and aimed to motivate them to practice good oral hygiene. The main objective of this program is to promote oral health among toddlers and encourage positive habits in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. A number of 20 toddlers participated in the program. The impact of this program has contributed to improved oral health awareness and practices among toddlers.

Through its wide range of service access programs, UKM demonstrates an unwavering commitment to enhancing community well-being and inclusivity. Each initiative from elderly care and oral health promotion to the provision of clean drinking water and rural optometry services, reflects UKM’s holistic approach to ensuring equitable access to essential services for all segments of society. These programs not only deliver direct health and welfare benefits but also foster social responsibility, empathy and civic engagement among students and staff. By bridging service gaps and reaching vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and rural populations, UKM reinforces its role as a compassionate, community-driven and sustainable university, in strong alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).