Public Health@UM: Creating the future of Public Health

Public Health Department, UMMC

The Public Health Department (PHD) or Jabatan Kesihatan Awam (JKA) at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) or Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM) plays a critical role in implementing public health measures within the hospital and its surrounding community. Launched on 18 January 2016, PHD serves as the central public health unit within UMMC, ensuring the health and safety of healthcare workers and the broader hospital community.

Core Functions and Objectives

PHD is responsible for implementing public health strategies that focus on:

  • Promoting health and wellness—Implementing hospital-wide public health interventions.
  • Preventing diseases and outbreaks—Conducting disease surveillance, infection control, and risk management.
  • Promoting a healthy lifestyle—Encouraging wellness programs for staff, patients, and the community.
  • Providing public health consultation services—offering expert guidance on hospital and community health issues.

To achieve these objectives, PHD carries out three key public health functions:

  • Assessment—Identifying and evaluating the health needs of the UMMC community to develop effective interventions.
  • Policy Expansion—Developing evidence-based health policies to support disease prevention and wellness programs.
  • Assurance—Managing resources and educating staff and the public on key health concerns.

Public Health Services in UMMC

PHD oversees a range of hospital-based public health services, including:

  • Infection Prevention and Control – Implementing measures to reduce the spread of infectious diseases in UMMC.
  • Occupational Health and Safety – Ensuring workplace health and safety through medical surveillance, risk assessments, and staff wellness programs.
  • Environmental Health Monitoring – Overseeing water quality, food safety, and hazardous waste management.
  • Health Promotion and Education – Conducting workshops, campaigns, and outreach programs to improve health awareness.

Secretariat

  • Occupational Safety and Health and Disaster Committee
  • OSHE Risk Working Committee
  • Healthcare Workers Tuberculosis Committee
  • Needle-stick Injuty Committee
  • Disaster Committee
  • Fungal Taskforce

Public Health Services

  • Surveillance
  • Community Services
  • Non-communicable Disease Control
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Food Safety and Quality
  • Health Promotion

OSHE Services

  • Occupational Health
  • Occupational Safety
  • Environmental Health
  • Fire Safety

Collaboration with the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine

PHD works closely with the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine (SPM), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, to enhance research, education, and service delivery in public health. Faculty members from SPM contribute their expertise to public health programs in UMMC, while postgraduate students from SPM gain practical experience through structured training and fieldwork within PHD. Notably, the MQB7038 Clinical Occupational Medicine course provides hands-on training for students at UMMC’s Occupational Health Clinic (OHC), further strengthening their clinical and research skills in occupational health.

Conclusion

Since its launch, the Public Health Department (PHD) at UMMC has been instrumental in strengthening hospital-based public health services, integrating disease prevention, health promotion, and policy development to enhance the overall quality of healthcare and public health education.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, PHD played a critical frontline role in infection control, hospital outbreak response, and staff protection measures. The department led efforts in screening, contact tracing, risk assessments, quarantine management, and vaccination programs within UMMC. PHD also implemented evidence-based policies and protocols to safeguard patients, healthcare workers, and visitors, ensuring the hospital remained operational while minimizing the risk of transmission.

Beyond the pandemic, PHD continues to strengthen hospital preparedness, health surveillance, and emergency response planning, reinforcing its commitment to advancing public health practices and ensuring a safer, healthier hospital environment. Through collaborations with SPM and other stakeholders, PHD remains at the forefront of public health excellence, adapting to evolving health challenges and shaping the future of hospital-based public health in Malaysia.