IN the heart of Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, a group of medical students from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) set up a makeshift clinic to offer free health screenings to the homeless and underserved.
The initiative was by Asian Medical Students Association (Amsa) Malaysia, in collaboration with Malaysian Heart Health Association (MyHeart).
The Feed the Needy 2.0 outreach programme provided basic services such as blood pressure checks, glucose testing, and medical consultations.
The volunteers found that many people in this area were without these basic services for years.
“It breaks my heart to know some people go years without knowing if they have high blood pressure or diabetes,” said event director Chin Min Le, a second-year medical student and Amsa-UPM president.
“Being a future doctor isn’t just about treating people in clinics; it’s about seeing the human being behind every story, no matter where they are.
“Everyone deserves to be seen, cared for and treated with dignity. Through ‘Feed the Needy’, we are not just checking vitals, we are saying you matter.”
The event saw many homeless individuals from diverse backgrounds, including single mothers and the elderly, who shared how difficult it was for them to access even the most basic health services.
One elderly man, who has lived on the streets for over a decade, said: “I thought no one cared about us anymore. When I saw the students smiling, holding our hands and asking how we felt, it reminded me of my own children.”
Nearby, a young woman, currently staying in a shelter, shared a similar sentiment.
“We struggle to find food, let alone see a doctor.
“This might seem small to others, but to us, it’s everything. Thank you for helping us.”
While the focus was on care, the experience also left a mark on the students themselves where many were stepping outside the lecture hall and into the raw reality of healthcare for the first time.
“This is where medicine begins,” said Chin.
“In the eyes of people who are often forgotten. This is why we study so hard, so that we can make a difference.”
The volunteers also handed out basic health kits and light meals.
Amsa-UPM hopes to make this a recurring initiative to reach underserved communities.
