With an eye on the future, lnstitut Jantung Negara (IJN) is on a mission to motivate school students to be the next generation of healthcare heroes.
On the 1st July, the centre unveiled its latest corporate social responsibility programme, “Catch ‘Em Young”, a unique programme aimed at inspiring students by educating them on the diverse career options available within the healthcare sector. By offering guidance to young minds, the programme aspires to spark interest in healthcare jobs and build up a strong, dedicated workforce for the future.
To kickstart the programme, IJN collaborated with SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, working with the school’s teachers and student members of the Young Doctors’ Club.
One of the key activities held under the “Catch ‘Em Young” initiative was a series of career talks, aimed at broadening students’ understanding of healthcare professions beyond the traditional roles of doctors and nurses. Participants were introduced to the variety of career pathways available within the healthcare industry, such as medical technologists, healthcare administrators, and non-medical professions that are equally instrumental to the healthcare sector, including engineers and information technology (IT) specialists.
IJN’s Senior Manager of Corporate Communications, Aina Jamil, said it was crucial to instil awareness of healthcare careers at an early age. “This will not only help students make better decisions in the future, but also open their minds to the endless possibilities and potential within their reach. IJN aims to expand this programme so that more students throughout the country can reap its benefits,” she said.
As part of the programme, IJN also embarked on upgrading of the school’s sick bay to enhance students’ well-being and comfort. This included equipping the sick bay’s physical facilities, where IJN provided a new patient bed and recliner chair, as well as fittings such as energy-saving light emitting diode (LED) lights and ceiling fan fixtures. The sick bay was also given a facelift with a new coat of paint and refurbished with new decor such as curtains and pillows.
The sick bay upgrade further served as an experiential project for members of the school’s Young Doctors’ Club to learn about how to maintain and care for their sick bay. IJN staff were available on-site to equip students with first-aid skills and good hygiene practices, as well as teach them about other tasks that come with managing and organising a sick bay. By engaging students in a hands-on manner, the programme sought to empower students with a sense of responsibility and pride in creating a safe and comfortable environment for their peers.
IJN thanks the support of SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah principal Azmi Ahmad as well as the rest of its faculty members for making the first “Catch ‘Em Young” programme a resounding success. The centre is currently exploring ways of expanding the initiative in the future, and aims to continue educating, inspiring and empowering students with knowledge and skills that will benefit themselves and their communities.
