Pharmacy students from Quest International University (QIU) organised their annual public health campaign in collaboration with industry partners to raise awareness about common and often misunderstood skin conditions, their treatment, and preventive care.
Building on previous campaigns which tackled major public health risks like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, this year the Quest Pharmacy Students’ Society – in partnership with the Malaysian Pharmacy Students’ Association – focused on diseases of the skin to heighten and correct public perceptions about their causes and proper care.
As in previous years, the campaign also served as a training ground for future pharmacists to undergo the rigours of their profession and showcase their spirit of community service.
The two-day campaign – held online on 24 August and in-person at AEON Mall Station 18 on 26 August – bearing the tagline “on a mission against skin conditions” was officiated by Perak State Executive Councillor for Health, YB Tuan A. Sivanesan. Also present were the Vice-Chancellor of QIU, Professor Zita Mohd Fahmi, and Dean of the QIU Faculty of Pharmacy, Professor Datuk Dr Allan Mathews.
The campaign brought together an array of noted medical and pharmacy professionals and guest speakers to enlighten the public about skin conditions. Visitors took part in all-day activities like free multi-factor health screenings and medication management booths; and enjoyed health talks, healthy-cooking workshops, yoga, and tai chi.
The core themes of this campaign were the role of nutrition in preventing skin disease – specifically the use of non-allergic cooking ingredients – and the importance of community pharmacists as front-liners in managing skin conditions.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Zita Mohd Fahmi thanked the event organisers and sponsors, calling their efforts worthy of admiration and emulation.
To the pharmacy students, she added: “You have brought to this great task not only the real-world holistic education you received at QIU but also the volunteering spirit we so prize in our students.”
