After a long and arduous preparation for over 2 months with limited resources, the World Hepatitis Day 2012; the Malaysia Campaign, was finally launched at One Utama on the 27 July 2012. The small, simple but packed turn-out proved to be a surprising satisfaction and achievement, I must say.
Despite its relatively modest presence and implementation as opposed to the previous year’s event held with much bells and whistles, this year’s campaign was done to a smaller scale. Much to the organising committee’s delight, this year’s campaign saw the participation of more volunteers on a larger scale, from front desk manning, to numerous performances on stage.
There was also free counseling on hepatitis C by member staffs and pharmacists of University Malaya Medical Centre.
Some of my placard pictures from last year’s photo shoot were re-used as part of the event’s exhibit material.
The event started off with a speech by Professor Dr. Rosmawati Mohamed, the Chairman of World Hepatitis Day 2012 Committee, set against a backdrop of some of my three wise monkey portraits.
What the event lacked in fireworks and fun fair, it really did make up for also by the presence of the Minister of Health. The Honourable Minister of Health, Y.B. Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai officiated this momentous event at High Street, One Utama.
After officiating the World Hepatitis Day 2012 Malaysia Campaign, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai proceeded to make a tour of the venue’s exhibits.
Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai’s presence lent credence, importance and impact to an otherwise commonly dismissed “community service health awareness” trivial event. His support naturally drew the attention of numerous media who sought his ministry’s views and stance on the prevention and treatment of hepatitis, along with current highlights on facts and figures of this silent killer disease.
After the tour, the Minister of Health proceeded for a press conference session with the media, along with Professor Dr. Rosmawati Mohamed, Mr. UK Menon (Group CEO of Stamford College) and Dato’ Teo Chiang Liang (CEO of KBU International College).
