THE AFIYAH WOMEN PROMOTES HOLISTIC WOMEN'S HEALTH AWARENESS

NIBONG TEBAL, PENANG, 29 July 2026 - A total of 120 participants, comprising staff of Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus (KKTSS), campus cleaning personnel, representatives from government agencies, and members of the local community, took part in The Afiyah Women: Wanita Anggun, Sihat Sepanjang Usia programme held at the Campus Islamic Centre.

Organised by the Islamic Centre through its Women's Affairs Committee (HELWA) and the KKTSS Health Unit, in collaboration with the Imaging Unit of the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute's Tun Abdul Razak Ahmad Badawi Cancer Centre (PKTAAB), USM, and the ROSE Foundation, the programme aimed to enhance women's health awareness through health education, early cancer detection, and the promotion of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

The programme was officiated by the Deputy Chairman of the KKTSS Islamic Centre, Ustaz Nukman Ahmad Zakir, representing the Campus Director. In his speech, he emphasised that women's well-being is a shared responsibility that should be strengthened collectively by families, institutions, and the wider community.

He also reaffirmed the KKTSS Islamic Centre's commitment to fostering strategic collaborations with various agencies and organisations to expand community development initiatives, particularly those focusing on health and well-being.

One of the forum panellists, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Hazliawati Ab. Aziz, urged women to be more attentive to physical changes, recognise early warning signs of illnesses, including cancer symptoms, and seek professional medical advice and treatment without delay during the forum titled "Wanita Afiyah: Menopause, Emotions and Women's Health."

She also stressed the importance of health education in raising public awareness, noting that many women still seek medical treatment only after cancer has reached an advanced stage.

"Love yourself as a woman and undergo regular health screening because early detection saves lives," she said.

As part of the community well-being initiative, 50 food aid packs were distributed to participants from the B40 income group who underwent health screening during the programme.

The programme also offered free breast cancer screening, including clinical examinations and mobile ultrasound imaging services provided by PKTAAB USM, as well as cervical cancer screening using the HPV DNA test for eligible participants through the collaboration with the ROSE Foundation.

The programme also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through close collaboration between USM, healthcare agencies, and non-governmental organisations in strengthening community well-being.

The programme concluded with a special session by renowned speaker Ustazah Isfadiah Mohd. Dasuki, who shared insights on the concept of Afiyah as holistic well-being achieved through a balance of spiritual, intellectual, and physical needs.

Text and Photos: Courtesy of HELWA KKTSS