3.3 – Collaborations and health services

3.3.1 – Current Collaboration with health institutions

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has consistently demonstrated its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being through strategic collaborations at the global, national, and local levels. These partnerships aim to promote healthier lives and ensure well-being for all by leveraging UKM’s academic expertise, research capabilities and healthcare facilities. At the global level, UKM partners with esteemed international health organizations and research institutes to address critical health challenges, such as infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and health system strengthening. On the national front, UKM works closely with governmental or non-governmental bodies to develop health policies, conduct research and improve healthcare services across the country. Locally, UKM engages with various community organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote health awareness and provide healthcare services to underserved populations. Through initiatives such as community health screenings and health education campaigns, UKM ensures that the benefits of its research and healthcare expertise reach those in need at the grassroots level.

No.	Type of Collaboration	Institutions Collaboration
1.	Global Collaboration	i. World Health Organization (WHO) ii. HEALTHCOMM UKM x UNICEF C4D Centre iii. University of Oxford
2.	National Collaboration	Ministry of Health Malaysia  i. SEGARUN Program  ii. Hypertension Day and World Salt Awareness Week 2024 Queen Elizabeth Hospital  iii. Hearing Outreach Program (HOPE) Oral Cancer Research & Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), Universiti Malaya iv. Oral Cancer Awareness Month
3.	Local Collaboration	i. Manjung District Health Office ii. Hulu Langat District Health Office (PKD)

1. Global Collaboration

i. Appointment as WHO Technical Advisory Group

The collaboration between UKM and the World Health Organization (WHO) exemplifies UKM’s growing global influence in advancing health research and behavioural science. This partnership is further strengthened through the appointment of Professor Dr. Caryn Mei Hsien Chan from the Faculty of Health Sciences to the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Behavioural Sciences for Better Health, reflecting UKM’s vital role in shaping evidence-based strategies for global well-being.

The functions of this Technical Advisory Group include to provide independent assessment of the scientific, technical and strategic aspects of applying the behavioural sciences to public health and to advise WHO on how to adapt behavioural science perspectives to support WHO work.

ii. Healthcomm UKM x UNICEF C4D CENTER

On a global level, UKM has collaborated with Healthcomm UKM x UNICEF C4D Centre with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) since 2020 and is still ongoing. UKM Healthcomm UKM x UNICEF C4D Centre focuses on general health issues that plague the local population and basic child and youth services. 

From 6–10 October 2024, the Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Training for Nutritionists was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant collaboration between Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and UNICEF through the Centre for Community and Health Communication (Healthcomm-UKM). This capacity-building initiative aimed to enhance the competencies of nutrition officers from the Ministry of Health Malaysia in applying SBCC principles to national nutrition programmes. Through interactive workshops and practical exercises on message development and communication planning, participants gained hands-on experience in promoting healthy eating practices among women of reproductive age. Funded under the Healthcomm–UNICEF partnership allocation, the programme successfully strengthened Malaysia’s national capacity for behaviour-based health promotion, showcasing UKM’s commitment to advancing public health, effective communication strategies and evidence-driven policymaking in alignment with UNICEF’s global nutrition and behavioural change framework.

iii. Collaboration UKM – University of Oxford

Currently, research projects are being conducted between UKM and the University of Oxford. Among them is the project titled “Obesity and Non-Communicable Disease in Malaysia: An Imaging Study of 6,000 Adults in the Malaysian Cohort Study,” led by Associate Professor Dr. Nor Azian Murad, Director of UMBI and Professor Sarah Lewington, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford.

With a research grant amounting to RM994,000, the project investigates the relationship between body fat distribution and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) using MRI imaging among participants of The Malaysian Cohort Project.

2. National Collaboration

National collaborations play a crucial role in advancing public health and addressing health challenges that require coordinated efforts across different regions and sectors. In 2024, UKM collaborated with many government agencies and NGOs to improve healthcare services.

i. SEGARUN – Protect Children from the Influence of the Tobacco Industry

The SEGARUN – Protect Children from the Influence of the Tobacco Industry program, is a program that was organized by the Faculty of Pharmacy, was held on 2 June 2024 at Dataran DBKL, Kuala Lumpur, as a free public awareness run in conjunction with World No-Tobacco Day. Conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Ministry of Education Malaysia, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and MyWATCH, the event gathered around 1,000 participants. It created significant impact by raising public awareness on the dangers of smoking and vaping, providing free health and cancer screenings and offering a smoking cessation clinic that motivated individuals to quit tobacco use. The program also promoted healthier lifestyles, encouraged early health detection and fostered community unity in advocating for a smoke-free environment. This initiative directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) by protecting vulnerable groups, especially children, from tobacco industry influence while advancing a health-conscious society.

ii. Hypertension Day and World Salt Awareness Week 2024

The Hypertension Day and World Salt Awareness Week 2024 was held at Kampung Malaysia Raya in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia and featured UKM’s Faculty of Health Sciences as a key partner. Organized as a free program, it included public health screenings, dietary assessments and consultations led by Prof. Dr. Suzana Shahar and her research team, alongside interactive talks, Q&A sessions and healthy cooking demonstrations. The initiative had a strong impact by raising public awareness of the risks of hypertension and excessive salt intake, promoting healthier dietary habits and encouraging early detection through free blood pressure checks. It also contributed to policy discussions on sodium reduction in processed foods, highlighting UKM’s role in research-driven advocacy. This program directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) by empowering the community with knowledge, tools, and evidence-based strategies to reduce cardiovascular risks and improve long-term health outcomes.

iii. Hearing Outreach Program (HOPE)

The Hearing Outreach Program (HOPE), held from 29 February to 4 March 2024 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, was organized by the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM, in collaboration with Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Conducted as a free program, it successfully screened 300 children and adults, providing early interventions such as hearing aids, speech therapy, and counseling for parents. The initiative had a significant impact by improving access to audiology services, reducing delays in treatment that could affect children’s speech, language, and academic development, while also raising community awareness on the importance of early hearing detection. This program directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) by strengthening healthcare services for vulnerable groups and enhancing the quality of life for children and families affected by hearing impairments.

iv. Oral Cancer Awareness Month

The Oral Cancer Awareness Month program, organized by the Faculty of Dentistry, was held on 4 February 2024 at Dataran Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur as a free public event. Conducted in collaboration with the Oral Cancer Research & Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), UM, and other local universities, the program featured activities such as 3km, 5km, and 7km runs as well as Zumba sessions, officiated by the Senior Director of Oral Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia. With the participation of around 400 individuals, the initiative significantly raised public awareness of oral cancer and its symptoms through interactive engagement under the theme #jomperiksamulutsendiri. This program directly contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) by promoting early detection and prevention of oral cancer, fostering healthier lifestyles and strengthening community knowledge on oral health.

3. Local Collaboration

Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. A key element in achieving this goal is fostering local collaborations that bring together different stakeholders to address health challenges at the community level.

i. Community Service Program “Let’s Meet Health Experts”

The Community Service Program “Let’s Meet Health Experts”, organized by Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), was held on 18 and 19 October 2024 at Dewan Komuniti Bestari, Sitiawan, Perak, as a free program in conjunction with Vascular Disease Awareness Month. Conducted in collaboration with the Manjung District Health Office, Perak , Faculty of Medicine UKM, International Islamic University Malaysia, and Universiti Putra Malaysia, the program provided free health screenings for vascular and kidney diseases, one-on-one counseling sessions with specialists, and educational talks on prevention and treatment. With the participation of 180 community members, the initiative had a strong impact by raising awareness of vascular diseases, improving access to healthcare services for local residents, and fostering early preventive care practices. This program directly contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) by promoting community health literacy, enhancing access to specialized medical consultations, and strengthening collaborations between healthcare institutions and local authorities.

ii. UKM Health Centre collaborate with Hulu Langat District Health Office (PKD)

UKM’s Health Centre (PKU) collaborated with the Hulu Langat District Health Office (PKD) in 2024 to conduct several health programmes, including an HIV/AIDS and MPOX awareness programme held on 27 October 2024 at the Convention Hall of Kolej Keris Mas, UKM. The programme featured various activities such as talks, exhibitions and quizzes, and was attended by UKM students as well as participants from Rumah Sahabat Batu 14 Hulu Langat.

UKM demonstrates strong commitment to advancing global, national and community health through strategic collaborations with leading health institutions. At the global level, UKM works closely with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to strengthen behavioural science applications, enhance public health communication capacity and contribute to evidence-based global health strategies. Nationally, UKM collaborates with key ministries, government agencies and universities to implement impactful health initiatives, including tobacco-free campaigns, chronic disease prevention programmes, hearing and oral health awareness activities and nationwide health screenings. Locally, partnerships with district health offices and community hospitals enable targeted outreach programmes focused on disease prevention, health screening and health literacy, ensuring accessible healthcare support for underserved groups. Collectively, these multilevel collaborations reinforce UKM’s leadership in public health, expand healthcare access and contribute meaningfully to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.