Day 6: We Will Take Care of You

After talks and discussion on CDC topics, PPKP Muhamad Fahmi bin Abidin who is a member of the Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) team came in and gave us a talk on his department. The talk included the duties and functions, job and responsibilities, activities organized, and the operations of the NCD team.

After the talk by the PPKP, I realized that at a District Health Office, the duty of the NCD team does not only limit to Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Asthma and Mental health. In fact, chronic diseases like Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension (from screening to treatment to data

recording) are usually managed at the level of the Klinik Kesihatan (KK).

The other duties of NCD include enforcement of tobacco regulation (e.g.: illegal trade, smoking at non-smoking areas and underage smokers) with operations regularly. There is also a ‘Quit Smoking Clinic’ at KK Jeniang which operates every Thursday from 8am to 3.30pm. They deal with individuals who want to quit smoking and as well as referral cases (underage students who are caught in the Operations).

The NCD team also performs BMI index screening on their staff and Form 3 students at school. Staff who are overweight (BMI >27.5) are required to join the ‘Lose Bodyweight Programme’ which includes aerobics and outdoor activities.

Surprisingly, the NCD team is also in charge of the health and safety of nurseries and kindergartens. This includes disease outbreak such as hand foot mouth disease as well as the safety of the environment around nursery and kindergartens.