KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- KPJ Healthcare Berhad (KPJ Healthcare) aims to benefit about 4,500 students across 15 secondary schools in five states through its 'KPJ Sound of Hope' programme, which seeks to raise awareness of hearing health and encourage early detection of hearing impairments.
KPJ Healthcare Chief Financial Officer Mohd Khairul Izzad Mohammed Shamsudin said hearing problems among students could affect their learning, communication, and self-confidence if not identified and given proper attention.
“Hearing problems are not necessarily easy to identify. Some students frequently ask teachers to repeat instructions or face difficulties following lessons, when the root cause might be related to their hearing.
“If left unattended, this condition can affect their learning, communication, and self-confidence. That is why awareness and early detection are crucial,” he said when officiating the programme's launch at SMK Subang Utama today.
Mohd Khairul Izzad said the initiative reflects KPJ Healthcare's approach to expanding health services to the community, in line with the pillars of the KPJ Health System encompassing Practice, Education, Research, and Innovation.
“This is one of the ways we translate our Care for Life commitment into efforts that directly benefit the community, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Meanwhile, KPJ Healthcare Officer in Charge Prof Datuk Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid said awareness of hearing care needs to be nurtured from a young age to help youths develop healthy listening habits.
“Usually, when we talk about healthcare, we focus only on treating diseases. However, sometimes significant changes start with simpler things, such as helping a child understand the importance of protecting their hearing,” he said.
The 'KPJ Sound of Hope' programme is being implemented in phases from September 2026 to April 2027, involving 15 selected secondary schools in Selangor, Johor, Sabah, Pahang, and Penang.
Through the programme, KPJ Healthcare audiologists conduct interactive educational sessions themed 'Protect Your Hearing Now' to educate students on safe listening practices, the risks of exposure to loud noises, and early signs of hearing problems.
Selected students will also undergo basic ear examinations using an otoscope via the Klinik Waqaf An-Nur (KWAN) Mobile Clinic.
The selection is based on an initial questionnaire and parental or guardian consent, while advice for further examinations will be provided if necessary.
The programme is spearheaded by KPJ Healthcare's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team alongside KWAN, in collaboration with JLG REIT Managers Sdn Bhd and supported by the KPJ hospital network.
KPJ Healthcare is also expanding inclusive healthcare access for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community through collaborations with the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) and Hear Me Malaysia.
Three hospitals in the KPJ network, namely Tawakkal Specialist Hospital, Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, and KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital, have achieved Level 1 Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) deaf-friendly capability to strengthen communication between healthcare personnel and deaf patients.
Also present at the event were SMK Subang Utama principal Norlin Abd Ghafar and JLG REIT Managers Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Zulhilmy Kamaruddin.
-- BERNAMA