Quest International University Perak (QIU) has mobilised its medical academics to answer the Malaysian government’s call for medical volunteers in the fight against Covid-19.
Several of the university’s lecturers have volunteered to bring their experience and expertise in different specialisations to the nationwide effort. These specialisations include physicians, paediatrics, orthopaedics, surgery and family medicine among others.
The move was carried out in response to the Health Ministry’s Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s call for medical practitioners to help the ministry provide medical assistance to the public.
“We owe a great deal to the frontliners who are doing so much to treat people and curtail the spread of Covid-19 during this challenging time. But they need support as well,” said QIU Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Goh.
“As a university, we count experienced medical practitioners among our staff, and we are glad to help. We are inspired by their spirit of volunteerism and are confident that they will help reduce the workload faced by the medical teams.”
Goh added that the university’s microbiologists, researchers, academics and laboratory technicians are ready to help out if the government needs further assistance.
In addition to its medical volunteers, the university has also joined the effort to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical frontliners in Perak.
Deputy Dean of QIU’s Faculty of Science and Technology Prof. Dr. Sim Yee Wai is doing so by joining an online group that produces 3-D printed face shields. The group connects frontliners who need to order these items with volunteers who can create the single-use disposable personal protective equipment (PPE).
Aided by fellow QIU academic Tay Yen Pei, Prof Sim has supplied 30 face shields as part of the effort – with another dozen set to be delivered soon.
Goh said the university was also going all out to ensure its students’ well-being during this challenging time.
“We are there to help if they need transport, hot meals or groceries. At the same time, we have set up communication platforms where they can reach out if they need medical advice or counselling from our academic staff,” he noted.
“This is a time where we all need to ask ourselves what we can do to make a difference. Giving back to the community is something entrenched in our university’s principles, and I am proud to see our lecturers embodying this spirit.”
