South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia – Launch Ceremony of the Heat Care Project at SEACO

29 May 2024, Wednesday - The launch ceremony of the Heat Care Project at SEACO was a significant event held at VIP Hotel Segamat, attended by over 100 distinguished guests, including members of the committee, Segamat Health Office, Segamat Hospital, Segamat Police Station, FELDA Regional Office Segamat, Segamat Municipal Council, Segamat District Education Office (PPD), Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), Segamat District Office, UiTM Johor Branch - Official FB Media, Segamat Community College, Segamat Community College 2, village heads, and SEACO stakeholders from five sub-districts (Sg. Segamat, Jabi, Gemereh, Bekok, and Chaah).

As we know, increasing exposure to heat will have profound effects on human health in the coming decades, especially in countries vulnerable to climate change in Southeast Asia. Adapting to climate change is crucial for communities exposed to rising average temperatures and severe heat waves. To strengthen community adaptation to heat effects in Southeast Asia, a research team led by Professor Dr. Tin Tin Su at Monash University Malaysia has secured a 4-year research grant sponsored by the prestigious Wellcome Trust for the study titled ‘Heat Adaptation Through Community-based Approaches and Research at SEACO’ (Heat Care at SEACO).

Through the Heat Care at SEACO project, we will assess potential behavioral and building structural interventions to protect vulnerable communities from extreme heat effects. We will introduce behavioral interventions that enhance individual literacy or awareness of heat exposure effects and adaptive behaviors. For building structural interventions, we will test passive cooling technology (cool roofs) to reduce exposure to extreme indoor temperatures. The Heat Care at SEACO project is a collaborative effort involving researchers from Monash University Malaysia, the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH) Germany, Monash University Australia, Taylor’s University, and the Ministry of Health Malaysia.

The launch ceremony aimed to inform all SEACO stakeholders about the development of the heat care adaptation program within the community, particularly in Segamat. The event began with a welcoming speech by Professor Dato’ Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Malaysia, and was officiated by the Honorable Tuan Hj Anuar bin Abd. Manap (Anuar Abd Manap DUN Pemanis N.03), Chairman of the Johor State Climate Change and Disaster Management Select Committee.

Distinguished guests who attended the launch of the Heat Care Project at SEACO included:

1. Honorable Anuar Bin Abd. Manap, Chairman of the Johor State Climate Change and Disaster Management Select Committee
2. Tuan Haji Mohd Masni bin Wakiman (Segamat District Officer, Segamat District Office)
3. Dr. Mohd Khairul Anwar bin Kamdi, Public Health Medicine Specialist (Epidemiology), Official Representative of the Johor State Health Director
4. Professor Dato’ Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Malaysia
5. Associate Professor Kumaran Narayanan, Official Representative of the Head of School and Deputy Head (Research and Development), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia
6. Dr. Faidzal Adlee Bin Abdul Ghafar, Director of Segamat Hospital
7. Puan Ayuni Nabilla binti Saidi, Assistant Director of FELDA Segamat Community Development Branch
8. Dr. Faridah Najuna Misman, Deputy Rector of Research and Industrial Networking, UiTM Segamat
9. Encik Zahid bin Daim, Director of Segamat Community College
10. Puan Nor Dalila binti Abd Rahman, Director of Segamat Community College 2
11. ASP Ihsan bin Abdullah, Head of Crime Prevention and Community Safety Division, Segamat District
12. Puan Zorillah Binti Ab Hamid, Chairman of the Breast Cancer Support Society Segamat
13. En. Ishak bin Abu Bakar, Senior Village Head of Segamat and Village Head of Labis Sub-district
14. En. Rafizan bin A. Rahman, Senior Village Head of Sg Segamat Sub-district
15. En. Yusup bin Hassim, Village Head of Bekok Sub-district
16. En. Mohd Shahrizan bin Abdul Aziz, Village Head of Gemereh Sub-district
17. En. Nur Shah Afendi bin Asmun, Village Head of Jabi Sub-district

Research Team:

1. Professor Tin Tin Su, Professor, Director of SEACO, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia
2. Prof. G R Letchuman Ramanathan, Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia
3. Dr. Nowrozy Kamar Jahan, Senior Lecturer in Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia
4. Dr. Darwin Gouwanda, Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia
5. Dr. Thahirahtul Asma Zakaria, Public Health Medicine Specialist, Environmental Health Unit, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia
6. Prof. Dr. Till Bärnighausen, Director, Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Germany
7. Dr. Sandra Barteit, Head of Digital Global Health Research Group, Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Germany
8. Prof. Yuming Guo, Professor of Global Environmental Health and Biostatistics & Head of the Monash Climate Unit, Air Quality Research Unit (CARE), Monash University Australia

The South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, extends its highest appreciation and gratitude to the guests and everyone involved who played a crucial role in the success of this launch ceremony. Thank you for supporting SEACO’s 12-year journey with the community in Segamat. This event marks another significant step towards realizing our shared vision of promoting healthier communities.