KOTA KINABALU: The Higher Learning Ministry has approved an allocation of RM3,000,000 for Universiti Malaysia Sabah Hospital’s (HUMS) mobile clinic.

UMS Board of Directors chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Rahman Dahlan in expressing his gratitude to the ministry and especially to Higher Learning Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, said that the allocation will be used to purchase six vehicles that would be used as mobile clinics.

Speaking at the launch of one of the mobile clinics costing RM468,000 on Friday at HUMS, Abdul Rahman said that the other vehicles are in the process of acquisition and they comprise an ambulance, two vans, a double cab four-wheel drive and a coaster bus.

“This is in line with the Higher Learning Ministry’s approach of bringing health service to the rural communities in Malaysia, and especially in Sabah through the KPT Prihatin programme, Komuniti Sejahtera, which is also known as KRIS programme,” he said.

Abdul Rahman explained the programme has been introduced and was implemented through teaching hospitals since 2020.

“This is proof of the government agency’s commitment to give health services directly to the people,” he said.

He also said that through the KRIS programme, HUMS has prepared health services such as medical and dental treatments, health promotions, health screening and medicine consultation for the rural communities in Sabah that are living far from government health facilities such as health clinics and hospitals.

He added that since 31st July 2021, HUMS had already implemented 12 programmes involving the rural areas in Sabah such as Tuaran, Kiulu, Kudat, Pitas, Kota Marudu, Labuan, Tawau and Keningau.

“HUMS will continue to render health services through the KRIS programme at every district in Sabah until the end of 2022,” he said.

Abdul Rahman also said that with the mobile clinic, HUMS would be able to offer comfortable and quality health services to the rural communities in Sabah.

He also expressed his gratitude to the management of Universiti Malaysia Sabah and HUMS for their effort to improve the quality of health services to the people of Sabah through the HUMS Mobile Clinic.

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is working with two other partners on a project to bring recreational fishing to a more wholesome and exciting level, while also contributing to science and sustainable development.

UMS and its partners, Sabah-based start-up company ReeFish and World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia), launched the project based on the "build back better" concept at the UMS jetty here on Thursday (Sept 8).

The importance of science for sustainable blue foods – a collective term for aquatic foods such as fish, shellfish and seaweed – has been catapulted into focus following the economic uncertainties in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thus, a blue economy will help Sabah meet its sustainable development goals, particularly in fisheries (fish and seafood production) and marine tourism.

Dr Mabel Manjaji Matsumoto, the project's lead researcher, said their focus will be on marine anglers.

"The research will take on multiple approaches in our profiling of recreational fishery, from appraising the status of recreational fishing in Sabah to addressing the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing contributed by angling activities," she said in a statement.

"One approach is through engaging citizen scientists for their input," added Matsumoto, who is also an associate professor at the Borneo Marine Research Institute, UMS.

WWF-Malaysia conservation head in Sabah Dr Robecca Jumin said globally, the potential to expand and benefit from recreational fishing was plentiful as it stimulates a nation's economic development in more than one way.

"In this collaboration, we want to explore responsible recreational fishing as a potential Covid-19 blue recovery livelihood for local stakeholders.

"We would like to develop sustainable opportunities in recreational fishing based on the build back better concept.

"This concept is part of disaster management and importantly, promotes nature-based solutions to conserve biodiversity and restore ecosystem services," she said.

ReeFish founder Datuk Darrel Webber elaborated that the project's website is created to promote responsible angling and to create an avenue for the anglers to record their memorable experience by uploading footage, which at the same time, contribute to citizen science efforts.

The footage will be collated as information and passed on to UMS fisheries scientists to be analysed, he added.

Sabah enjoyed a tremendous boom in the tourism sector prior to the pandemic, he said.

ReeFish is a locally owned start-up which aims to provide access to anglers who want to lend a hand to science and at the same time contribute towards the sustainability of this popular recreational activity.

The research collaboration is supported by funds channelled by WWF-Malaysia, a forefront civil society organisation (CSO).

Borneo Marine Research Institute director Dr Sitti Raehanah Muhamad Shaleh applauded the research project, saying it was commendable especially at a time when there is worldwide concern on marine conservation and that the government was striving to ensure seafood sustainability.

"I also understand that this project will provide an opportunity for the researchers to study shark conservation as sharks are one of the large fishes targeted by some anglers.

"By the end of the year-long project, the team aims to develop a prototype business model incorporating the idea of responsible angling," said Sitti Raehanah.

KUNDASANG: Survey Camp 2022 has been participated by a total of 63 students of the Civil Engineering Programme, Faculty of Engineering (FKJ), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is an effective medium to practice the knowledge learned theoretically in lectures.

According to the Director of Survey Camp 2022, Sr Ts. Dr. Asmawan Mohd. Sarman, this program was held to give a clearer initial picture of the situation in the industry.

“Kundasang is the most suitable location for the program due to its diverse topography that allows more exposure of Engineering Survey method applications on-site to the students.

“This program can also shape the future engineers who are versatile and confident in meeting the current needs of the industry,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of the participants of Survey Camp 2022, Ruzaithy Azhnie Justi also shared that this program provides many benefits and valuable experiences to Civil Engineering students.

“The direct practical application of Engineering Survey knowledge in the field is an advantage for us to be better prepared before venturing into the industry. We were also exposed to surveying software to further analyze the data taken on field digitally.

“Skills such as critical thinking and the ability to work in a group are also indirectly tested to overcome all the challenges and obstacles faced so that the tasks given can be completed within the fixed timeframe,” she added.

This program is hoped to be organized again in the coming session to increase the marketability rate of prospective FKJ graduates.

KOTA KINABALU: An anesthesiology and critical care postgraduate specialist programme and other clinical programmes are being developed by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through its Medical and Science Health Faculty.

The school’s Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department head Datuk Dr D Kamarudin D Mudin (pic) said this was in line with the Hospital UMS’ role to complement the government healthcare system and services in Sabah.

“These programmes are expected to boost the medical clinical academic ecosystem, not only in Sabah, but the country and this region,” he said in a statement on Friday (Aug 26).

Dr Kamarudin earlier attended a session on the field with the Health Ministry on the potential and collaboration opportunities between UMS and the ministry.

He added that there was a critical need for these local specialists in Sabah as they would serve to strengthen and improve the human capital development and quality of services to the healthcare system in the state.

“With Indonesia’s capital city being relocated from Jakarta to Kalimantan, the shift of population is expected to also follow suit sooner than expected.

“This is also another reason why we need a better and more efficient healthcare system to cater to the growing demands in this region,” he said.