Around Campus Info

D.I.Y Face Protector for the Frontliners

Translation by: AMINATUL NOR MOHAMED SAID, FACULTY OF COMPUTING

Acknowledging equipment such as face shields and the importance of medical staff serving hospitals treating COVID-19 patients across the country has inspired many to produce DIY face protectors using readily available materials and can be completed quickly.

Thus, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) student volunteers lent a hand preparing ready to use face masks (D.I.Y) for the use of frontliners over the past few days.

According to the Medical Officer of the Kuantan District Health Office, Dr. Muhammad Sirri Ammar Ramzan, in this limited situation, the face protection needs are very important for the frontliners to avoid being exposed to the potentially life-threatening risks of COVID-19 virus infection.

They appreciate the commitments of the students and the cooperation of UMP in making this venture possible.

To date, a total of 500 face protectors have been produced and they will coordinate distribution to each health office, clinic and hospital as soon as possible.

"Each session is limited to only 20 volunteers and to ensure cleanliness, each volunteer must be screened and given a healthcare briefing by a medical officer on duty and must comply with the 1-meter social distance during the preparation of this facial protection device," he said in UMP Gambang Campus on March 28, 2020. 

With a target of 6,000 face protectors to produce, they welcome any cooperation from NGOs and higher education institutions to jointly make this effort possible.

Meanwhile, UMP student Nursyazwani Zainurin, 22, who has been staying at the residential college during the Movement Control Order (CPP), is proud to give her contribution to the healthcare workers as well as benefiting her free time in campus.

In the meantime, a group of lecturers from the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA) also contributed by producing 200 D.I.Y face protectors to assist health workers at the Pekan District Health Office and the Pekan Hospital.

This face protector is capable of preventing liquid or liquid flow between patients and operators as it is waterproof.

It is best used in clinics or hospitals that require direct control between the patient and the operator to prevent liquid discharge to the operator's face.

Research and Innovation

Be wiser in choosing disinfectant product 

Translation by: NADIRA HANA AB HAMID, FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING AND MECHATRONIC ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Due to the outbreaks of COVID-19 in many countries around the globe, including Malaysia, items like disinfectant liquid, face mask, face shield and personal protective equipment are becoming more difficult to find in the market. 

In fact, many has tried to produce it themselves, including disinfectant liquid, as an alternative to handle the outbreak of this epidemic.  

UMP researcher, Professor Datin Dr. Mimi Sakinah Abdul Munaim from Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, advices the public not to produce own hand sanitizer without consulting the experts. 

“Extra precaution is needed when using chemicals such as alcohol isopropyl since it is flammable and can caused fire if it is not handle properly. 

“Microbial inhibition test need to be conducted to ensure safe level of usage without unwanted side effects. 

“But most importantly, the product must be able to kill the germs,” she elaborates further. 

She also shares her 12 years experiences in producing hand sanitizer called Germs Free Hand Sanitizer. This liquid based hand sanitizer is added with betel leaves extract to prevent visible growth of bacteria. 

“This product also contains Vitamin E and Aloe Vera suitable for the skin.

“What makes this product unique from other existing product in the market is that it can prevents the skin from became irritated due to the usage of ethanol, a petroleum-based chemical compound. 

At the moment, this hand sanitizer comes in a form of gel and liquid”, she explains. 

She also added, this innovation has been tested at Biocompatibility Laboratory in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to ensure the safe level of usage. Currently, this product has been widely used by UMP, companies, pharmacies and hospital in Kuantan. 

“So far, we did not received any negative feedback from the customers. Many of them give positive feedbacks, such as it moisture and does not irritate the skin after using it, not like other product that can be found in the market,” she added. 

Further research were also conducted by our team to diversify natural scents such as lemons.

“There is also demands that it not be mixed with other aromas especially for the use of hajj pilgrims or those performing umrah.

“This product has been tested against bacteria and viruses (inhibit germs) with a new formula of optimal alcohol content up to 75 percent, but it does not irritate the skin and is safe to use.

"Manufacturing of this product were done in the UMP laboratory accredited with MS ISO 13485:2016 Certification and meets international quality standards," she said.

This product is also in the process of obtaining a halal certificate for disinfectant fluid and will need to go through various processes including the certification of best practice management from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

With the Movement Control Order (MCO) enforced by the government, the team facing many challenges to meet the demand for this product that has increased ten time higher than before. 

Among the challenges are the lack of raw material and increase in alcohol price by 50 percent that makes it difficult to obtain.

The same goes to the prices of the bottles, including the pumps that has risen by up to 150 percent, due to the closure of the factory operation following the outbreak of COVID-19.

Operates under UMP Renal Care Sdn. Bhd., a company under UMP Holdings Sdn. Bhd. they are capable of producing about 1,000 bottles per day or 300 liters in various sizes of 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 500 ml and 2 liters.

The company is currently produces high-level disinfectant products based on food vinegar for the future market.

Around Campus Info

UMP Counselors Provide Psychological Support for Anxiety

Translation by: AMINATUL NOR MOHAMED SAID, FACULTY OF COMPUTING

The follow-up of the Movement Control Order (MCO) announced by the Prime Minister from March 18 extended to April 14 certainly raised concerns not only about the threats of spreading the COVID-19 outbreak but also the effects of the MCO that indirectly changed the routine of daily living including the implementation of home-based policies.

Senior Psychology Officer, Hajah Paridah Mohd Ali, who is also the Head of Counseling and Psychology Division of the Student Affairs and Alumni Department, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) said the biggest challenge for university counselors was to address the problems of students seeking counseling sessions.

“Whether they are at the Residential College or in their hometown, counselors are always ready to help provide counseling services.”

“In the current MCO situation, different methods have been adopted compared to the face-to-face approach practiced earlier.”

"So throughout the MCO period, counselors have taken full advantage of the use of social media and instant messaging such as WhatsApp and Skype video communications to help address the concerns of students seeking counseling services," she said.

Earlier, she said, counseling services were also done online but this time it was fully practiced throughout the MCO period.

“Students can also use the e-counseling system on the UMP portal site where students can make appointments with counselors to ask any questions or concerns.”

“Among the counseling services that students receive regularly throughout the MCO are academic concerns, family longing in their hometown and the fear of being infected.”

"We always provide advice and support for students to stay calm, positive and get the right information," she said.

However, when asked about the experience of working from home, she said it had its own advantages such as flexible working hours and more balanced home and office management.

“However, there are constraints such as the lack of physical resources such as limited work space, lack of counseling aids and establishing physical boundaries when managing families and working from home.”

“At the same time, we also need to allocate time for household chores such as cleaning, cooking, managing children and families, and office tasks.”

"However, counseling sessions and organized meetings can still be implemented through a flexible time management system," she said.

Students can also contact all of the counselors at both UMP Pekan and UMP Gambang Campus who are always ready to assist in accordance with the UMP Counseling and Psychology Division's 'Here To Hear' tagline by calling Hajah Paridah Mohd Ali (019-915 3440), Fara Hazlini Mohd Som (019-981 9094), Nur Azila Osman (013-468 9721) or Siti Norni Mohd Daud (013-962 1886).

While UMP staff can also seek advice through the Employee Assistance Program Unit (EAP) by contacting the Head of EAP, Dr. Fatmawati Latada (019-228 6379) or UMP Psychology Officer, Nur Atiqah Mohd. Nor (013-719 0983).

UMP residents are also advised to remain calm and stay at home or on campus and to ensure that their mental health remains stable throughout the MCO period.

Hopefully, the epidemic will recover soon so that we can continue our daily lives as usual.