While most children have fond childhood memories, Siti Zainora bt Mohd Zulkefli grew up witnessing the medical challenges which her parents had to endure and surmount. Siti Zainora’s mother underwent a hysterectomy when she was just 11 years old while her father was operated on for heart problems five years later.
Siti Zainora’s deep concerns for her parents’ health and well-being motivated her to take up Pharmacy at Universiti Malaya to help her understand the safe and effective use of medicines in treating people like her parents to facilitate a positive healthy outcome.
For Siti Zainora, the adage ‘knowledge is power’ holds true as her hunger for learning and hard work finally paid off when she was named as one of the eight recipients of the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS)-Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM) 2007 Gold Medal Award.
The annual award presented by CCM and the MPS recognises and honours top graduating Pharmacy students in Malaysia who excel in academic and co-curricular activities. The final year students are nominated by public and private universities that offer a Bachelor of Pharmacy program. The award comprises a MPS-CCM Gold Medal, certificate plus a cash award of RM500.
“It was heart-wrenching to see my parents consuming various types of medications to treat their illnesses. I was curious to ascertain the content of each medicine and how it helped to aid their healing,” said Siti Zainora, 24, who hails from Malacca and now works at the Malacca General Hospital.
“I am very grateful for this award and feel honoured that one of Malaysia’s renowned pharmaceutical companies like CCM as well as the MPS acknowledge our achievements as we step into the professional world. This Award encourages me to enhance my sense of responsibility to share the valuable knowledge I have acquired to help the patients, especially in terms of counseling and educating them on how best to maximise the usage of the prescribed medicines,” added Siti Zainora, who plans to further her studies in Clinical Kinetics in the future.
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, CCM Bhd Group Managing Director Dato’ Dr Mohd Hashim Tajudin said the MPS-CCM Gold Medal was aimed at recognising outstanding Pharmacy students and to reward them for their hard earned efforts and to encourage them to achieve greater success as they join the country’s pharmaceutical community as a professional.
“In Malaysia, there are only about 5,000 registered practitioners and we need more . The demand for this profession is expected to increase as the nation’s population grows and especially now that the government is examining the possibility of allowing pharmacists to dispense medications to patients.
“The local pharmaceutical industry needs young, passionate and dedicated professionals to propel this sector into greater heights. We feel privileged to be given the opportunity to sponsor this award for the past 10 years and are happy to support the pool of talents that the country has to offer.
“We hope that the recipients will use this recognition as a stepping stone to enhance their interpersonal skills, to better understand the patients’ needs and demonstrate strong leadership skills, integrity, passion, desire and the commitment to professionalism,” said Dato’ Dr Mohd Hashim.
Another recipient, 23-year old former International Medical University student, Lim Keng Gat from Kuala Lumpur was ecstatic to receive the Award. “I had an enjoyable learning experience as a Pharmacy student and I believe that this recognition will encourage me to work harder as a pharmacist.
“As a pharmacist working at the hospital, I am able to be involved in community service and participate in the enforcement of related drug and pharmacy legislation to safeguard consumers from hazardous drugs and unscrupulous practices.
“There is so much more to learn and I would like to play a role in contributing to the development of the country’s healthcare services,” said Keng Gat, an only child of a fishmonger and a housewife and now works at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.
For 24-year old Lee Wai Han from Seremban, named a recipient of the MPS-CCM Gold Medal Award is a very humbling experience especially for a fresh graduate joining the industry.
“As a newcomer embarking on a long journey to serve the country and community alike, we cherish any recognition that is given to us.
“I truly enjoy my current stint at the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital, especially when interacting with doctors and patients and applying what I have learned into practice. Every day is a new experience and this award will spur me to work harder in achieving my goals,” said the former Universiti Sains Malaysia student.
Other Award recipients include Wong Pui Mun (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Yong Shing Lih (SIT International College), Choong Chiau Ling (University College Sedaya International), Hanis Hanum bt Zulkifly (Universiti Teknologi MARA) and Sarah bt Abdullah (International Islamic University Malaysia).
CCM, Malaysia''s largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia and has a market capitalisation of RM1 billion. CCM is a key player in the fertilisers, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry.
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Issued with the compliments of Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad
Through Eric Pringle Associates Public Relations Sdn Bhd.
For further information, please contact Ida Fazila Ismail
at 03-2161 7144/49/54 or e-mail at ifazila@epapr.com.my |
