Community Engagement & Health Education

Program Murid Sihat dan Selamat: Empowering Young Learners with Essential Health and Emergency Skills

24 September 2025 | by Muhammad Farhan Mahmud & Dr Muzaitul Akma Mustapa Kamal Basha
Program Murid Sihat dan Selamat at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pandan Kuantan
Pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Pandan, Kuantan, participating in the Program Murid Sihat dan Selamat.

KUANTAN | 24 September 2025 — More than 150 Level 2 primary pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pandan, Kuantan, experienced a day filled with hands-on learning, active participation and discovery during the Program Murid Sihat dan Selamat. The programme was a collaborative community initiative led by the Department of Professional Nursing Studies, Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM, under the leadership of Dr Muzaitul Akma Mustapa Kamal Basha, following requests and discussions with SK Pandan.

The initiative was supported by members of the Clinical Skills Centre (CSC) and the Department of Critical Care Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM, and further strengthened through the support of community partners, including Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) Paya Besar and Lepar branches, the Majlis Belia Pahang and PERKIM.

Together, these collaborations highlighted the importance of strong university–community partnerships in equipping young learners with practical health knowledge and essential life-saving skills.

A Day of Active Learning

The day began with a cheerful morning stretching session led by Br Muhammad Syazwan Rostam, a fourth-year student from the Kulliyyah of Nursing. The activity immediately lifted the pupils’ spirits and created an energetic and welcoming atmosphere for the programme.

Excited chatter and laughter filled the area as the pupils followed the simple movements and enjoyed the sense of togetherness. The programme then moved into an introduction to basic emergency assistance through an engaging session delivered by Dr Muzaitul Akma Mustapa Kamal Basha and Dr Hasanah Pairoh.

The session was deliberately kept short, simple and interactive to suit the pupils’ level of understanding. Pupils were encouraged to ask questions, share their existing knowledge and consider how they should respond during common emergencies.

Hands-On Exposure Through Learning Stations

Following the introductory briefing, the pupils were divided into ten groups and rotated through 10 hands-on learning stations. Each station was designed to introduce a specific health or emergency skill in an age-appropriate and practical manner.

Seizure & Syncope Management Understanding appropriate initial responses when a person experiences a seizure or fainting episode.
Bandaging & Wound Care Introducing basic bandaging techniques and simple wound management.
Splinting & Arm Sling Learning simple techniques to support an injured limb before professional help is available.
Choking Management Introducing appropriate actions to take when someone experiences airway obstruction.
Chest Compressions & Introduction to CPR Giving pupils supervised exposure to chest compressions using training manikins.
Handwashing Reinforcing effective handwashing techniques as an essential component of infection prevention.
Nosebleed Management Teaching pupils the correct response and positioning for managing a nosebleed.
Early Burn Management Introducing simple and safe early responses to minor burn injuries.

Learning by Doing

Every station was facilitated by lecturers and clinical instructors from the Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM, assisted by volunteers from Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah (UniPSAS) and members of GPMS Paya Besar. The pupils were not passive listeners. They practised bandaging one another, performed chest compressions on training manikins and demonstrated the correct way to manage a nosebleed under supervision. This hands-on approach made the learning experience practical, memorable and enjoyable. Teachers observed with pride as the pupils demonstrated enthusiasm, confidence and curiosity throughout the learning stations.

Evaluation, Quiz and Joyful Learning

Before the closing session, an evaluation and short quiz were conducted to assess the pupils’ understanding of the skills introduced throughout the day. Designed in an interactive and enjoyable format, the activity allowed pupils to answer questions, demonstrate selected techniques and reflect on their newly acquired knowledge.

The children participated enthusiastically, laughing and cheering one another on. For many pupils, the quiz became one of the highlights of the programme because it combined learning with play.

Teachers and facilitators observed that the pupils were able to recall key information and respond confidently. The activity also introduced an element of healthy competition while ensuring that the intended learning outcomes were reinforced in a positive atmosphere.

Closing Ceremony and Partnership Agreement Signing

The programme concluded with a formal closing ceremony. Encik Mohd Razuki Bin Daud, Headmaster of SK Pandan, expressed his appreciation to IIUM and all collaborating partners for their contribution towards the success of the programme.

On behalf of SK Pandan, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to IIUM’s Kulliyyah of Nursing and all collaborators for organising such a meaningful programme. Not only did our pupils enjoy themselves, they also received valuable exposure to basic emergency care at an early age. We truly look forward to more initiatives like this in the future.

A major highlight of the day was the signing of a partnership agreement between SK Pandan and the Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM, symbolising the beginning of a sustainable partnership between the two institutions.

The partnership agreement was signed by the Headmaster of SK Pandan and Dr Abdul Alif Abd Hamid, Deputy Dean of Student Development and Community Engagement, Kulliyyah of Nursing.

The signing was witnessed by En. Abu Na’azeim Abu Talib, Assistant Secretary of Majlis Belia Negeri Pahang, and Dr Nur Ain Mahat, Head of the Department of Professional Nursing Studies, Kulliyyah of Nursing.

Looking Towards the Future

Programme leader Dr Muzaitul Akma Mustapa Kamal Basha concluded the programme by expressing her appreciation to all facilitators, volunteers and collaborating partners, while also sharing the future direction of the initiative.

We are truly thankful to all facilitators, volunteers and partners who worked tirelessly to ensure this programme’s success. In shaa Allah, we will continue with a second and third series focusing on psychological health and peer guidance among SK Pandan pupils. This is only the beginning of a long-term journey to nurture healthier, more resilient children.

The Program Murid Sihat dan Selamat successfully combined health education, practical skill-building and enjoyable learning activities, leaving pupils motivated and empowered with essential health and emergency knowledge.

With strong institutional collaboration, enthusiastic volunteers and a clear commitment to sustainability, the programme demonstrates how universities, schools and community organisations can work together to positively influence young lives while promoting healthier and more resilient communities.