By Shahfizal Musa
Pix Ikhwan Hashim

BERANANG, 16 Mar 2014 – The National University of Malaysia (UKM) Medical Faculty has set up another Community Health Training Centre (PULAKEM), its fourth, here today.

The Centre set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is to give exposure to its medical students about health problems in the rural areas while also serving the local community.

Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said the centre is a testimony of UKM’s seriousness about its role as guardian of the nation.

When UKM first started its Medical Faculty in 1972, there were doubts about the ability of The National University, setup to uphold the national language, to teach medicine a branch of knowledge which is largely done in English.

“What kind of doctors will we be producing? Will they be competent enough? Nevertheless our sincere desire to serve the people and the nation have proven the doubters wrong and brought us to where we are today.

“Thus UKM has to date produced 5384 medical practitioners most of whom are serving the country with some working abroad. Apart from that UKM has also produced some 2814 medical specialists,” Prof Noor Azlan said.

In addition UKM has also made many medical breakthroughs, resulting in its Medical Faculty recognised as one of the best in the region.

Despite all its achievements, UKM’s unwavering focus has always been about serving the community. The establishment of the community health training centre is to make sure that the rural community will also benefit from the Faculty’s findings and discoveries.

“We are grateful to the community for allowing us to serve them while at the same time helping our students to gain valuable exposures”, Prof Noor Azlan said.

The Centre was launched by Chairman of the UKM Board of Directors, Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail.

Also present was Dean of the Medical Faculty, Prof Dato Dr Raymond Azman Ali and the people of Beranang.