Virtual Summer Camp Programme by UTAR and Xi'an Medical University

UTAR Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC) of Sungai Long Campus collaborated with Xi’an Medical University (XMU), China to organise a six-day programme called Virtual Summer Camp: Medical and Cultural Learning from 1 August 2022 to 6 August 2022.

The programme started with an opening speech by Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) Dean Academician Emeritus Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng. It was followed by another speech from XMU Office of International Cooperation and Exchange Director Mao Jing.

From left: FMHS Dean Prof Cheong and XMU Director Mao

A group photo after the opening ceremony

FMHS Centre for Research on Non-Communicable Diseases Chairperson Prof Dr John Paul Evangel Judson began the first sharing session titled Anatomy of the Heart and Kidney by explaining the features of the human heart as well as its valves and blood vessels. The session also saw him describing the location, blood supply and the basic histology of the kidney. The next session was continued by FMHS academic Prof Dr Lam Sau Kuen who presented on Blood Pressure Regulations. She explained the importance of maintaining normal blood pressure, factors that will affect blood pressure and ways to regulate blood pressure.

From left: Prof Judson and Prof Lam

The sharing session on the second day began with FMHS academic Dr Lee Siew Keah who enlightened the participants with the knowledge on the regulation of lipids. She was also seen explaining the functions of lipid, lipid metabolism, lipid pathway and lipid digestion. The next session titled Nutrition to Regulate BP and Lipid & Drug on BP Regulations was led by FMHS academic Dr Ling Wei Chih. She shared the different dietary approaches to stop hypertension, the different types of antihypertensive agents and the drugs in development. At the end of the session, FMHS Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Dr Leong Pooi Pooi was invited to share an overview of medical education in Malaysia including its standard, framework, entry requirements, course structure and medical training for undergraduates.

Clockwise, from top left: Dr Lee, Dr Ling and Dr Leong

On the third day of the programme, a sharing session on Stroke was conducted by FMHS Department of Medicine Head Dr Lee Bee Sun. During the session, Dr Lee explained the types and subtypes of stroke, the risk factors of stroke and the clinical features of stroke. She also taught participants the right ways to diagnose stroke and the emergency medical care administered to stroke patients. The following session saw FMHS academic Dr Ei Cho Khaing explaining heart failure in which she addressed the cause, mechanism, natural history and clinical symptoms of heart failure. The last session on the third day was conducted by Chok Yen Hau who introduced the Chinese new villages in Malaysia. Among the New Villages introduced by Chok were Sekinchan, Kampung Sungai Lima, Kampung Sungai Janggut, Pontian and Kampung Kuala Sepetang.

Clockwise, from top left: Dr Lee, Dr Ei and Chok

On the fourth day of the programme, FMHS academic Dr Kang Waye Hann spoke about evidence-based management of hypertension and secondary hypertension. In the session, Dr Kang explained the ways to approach and treat hypertension, the right time to start therapy and the risks it entails. Dr Kang also taught participants how to approach patients who are suspected of secondary hypertension and the possible causes that could raise blood pressure. After that Dr Ling conducted a session titled Drugs on Lipid Regulations. She introduced participants to different types of lipid-lowering drugs such as statin, fibrates and niacin, and compared the mechanism and effects of each drug.

From left: Dr Kang and Dr Ling

The sharing session on the fifth day started with the topic Digital Health and Clinical Medicine by FMHS academic Prof Dr Wong Chee Piau. During the session, Prof Wong provided an analysis of the current and future healthcare ecosystem. FMHS academic Dr Wong Voon Son, on the other hand, shared the Basic Skills and Knowledge of Clinical Practice. A cultural sharing was also conducted by DSSC academic Nurzanatul Amira binti Azizan. She shared about Malaysia’s cultures, foods, costumes and languages. A quiz was conducted at the end of the sharing to test the understanding of the participants.

Clockwise, from top left: Dr Wong CP, Dr Wong VS and Amira

FMHS Department of Chinese Medicine Head Leu Kim Fey conducted a sharing session titled Chinese Medicine on Hypertension on the last day of the programme. He explained and introduced some common traditional Chinese medicines used to treat hypertension.

A closing ceremony was also held on the last day of the programme. FMHS Dean Prof Cheong and XMU Clinical Medicine Dean Liu Kaige were invited to deliver their speeches at the closing ceremony. The Virtual Summer Camp: Medical and Cultural Learning programme ended with a group photo and a closing video.

Student representatives from XMU

A group photo on the last day of the programme