WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY – University is among the best places to create awareness on the genetic disease Thalassaemia.

According to the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah, it is because majority of those in the university are youths who are still single.

“Armed with the awareness of this genetic disease, our youths will understand and be more prepared to deal with this genetic disease if they were detected as Thalassaemia carriers,” he said in his opening speech at the Thalassaemia Screening Programme for adolescents and youths in schools, Public Universities students and Higher Learning Institutions, held at the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

His speech was read by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and International Affairs, Professor Dr. D Kamarudin D Mudin.

Datuk Harun said, university students would return to their own homes and will then share this information on the importance of Thalassaemia screening, to their family members.

Thus, he viewed that the university could be the catalyst for the dissemination of information for public health.

“I also take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Kota Kinabalu Health Office (PKK) for giving the chance to UMS to conduct Thalassaemia screening together and to spread awareness on Thalassaemia to our youths and adolescents,” he expressed.

Thalassaemia is a genetic disease that interferes with the formation of normal red blood cells causing the patients to look pale due to low hemoglobin levels.

It is however, the only genetic disease that can be prevented if health education and full support are given from all parties.

Also present were the PKK Health Officer, Dr. Mohammad Saffree Jeffree and the Dean of the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Associate Professor Dr. Sharifudin Md. Shaarani. – SS (fl)


Photo: Masran Muhamad Ali, FSMP


Media and Citra Division