Students from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) taking part in the International Community Service Program under the International BBK initiative conducted free medical check-ups for residents of Kampung Tanjung Langsat in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The outreach centered on early screening for hypertension and diabetes as part of the university’s broader commitment to community service abroad.
The program opened with the distribution of informational flyers featuring infographics on blood pressure categories and normal blood glucose ranges. Intan Nuraini, a Medical Laboratory Technology student at UNAIR, also provided educational briefings on the health risks associated with hypertension and outlined common symptoms of diabetes, including excessive thirst (polydipsia) and increased hunger (polyphagia).
Nuraini said the initiative was developed after reviewing data on Malaysia’s public health trends. “Non-communicable diseases present a significant risk here, so I chose to focus on hypertension and diabetes. The most practical screenings we could provide were blood pressure checks and blood glucose testing, both random and fasting,” she explained.
Residents responded enthusiastically to the free health services. Among them was Aiman, who described the program as a meaningful and eye-opening experience. “The community has the opportunity to learn new information and gain health-related experiences they had not previously received,” he said.
Another participant, Ms. Shahrina, said the screening helped her better understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle later in life. “I now know what steps are important to keep my blood pressure and blood sugar under control. I’m grateful that my results were good and that I’m in good health,” she said.
The students hope the initiative will encourage ongoing health education and routine screenings in Kampung Tanjung Langsat. The program aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which promotes good health and well-being, and supports Sustainable Development Goal 8 by helping ensure that communities remain healthy and productive.
Author: Internasional BBK Malaysia Team
