JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 21 – Sudden cardiac arrest has become an increasing public health concern in Malaysia and globally. In recent years, many cases have been reported where athletes collapsed during sports activities or individuals suddenly experienced cardiac arrest in public places, workplaces, and even at home. These emergencies often occur without warning, and survival depends heavily on the immediate response of bystanders.
According to the latest report, Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2024 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), diseases of the circulatory system remained the leading cause of death in 2023, accounting for 29.4% of all medically certified deaths. This is followed by diseases of the respiratory system (20.6%), neoplasms (13.8%), certain infectious and parasitic diseases (7.7%), and external causes of morbidity and mortality (7.4%). These figures highlight the urgent need for wider public awareness and preparedness in dealing with life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest.
In response to a growing need for life-saving skills, the IJN-UTM Cardiovascular Engineering Centre, in collaboration with the UTM Health Centre (PKU), successfully organized Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) certified Automated External Defibrillator (AED) & Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) professional course at UTM. The landmark program, titled AED & CPR Certified Training 2025, was held on 21 August 2025 at Building T03, UTM Johor Bahru. The course was led by the Director of the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hau Yuan Wen, and marked a significant step forward in equipping the UTM community with essential emergency response skills.
The training brought together 17 participants from various UTM departments as well as members of the public. Its main focus was to equip participants with essential Basic Life Support (BLS) skills, particularly CPR techniques and the proper use of AEDs. The course followed the most recent American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, ensuring international best practices were taught. Throughout this course, the participants learn not just the theory, but also practice hands-on techniques. By the end of the training, each participant should feel confident in recognizing an emergency, performing effective CPR, and using an AED correctly.
The training was conducted by Dr. Mohammad Sya’rani Najmuddin, Medical Officer at the UTM Health Centre, assisted by Nur Rashidah Hj Taufikul Rahman and Sabila Zamri, both staff nurses at the UTM Health Centre. All three facilitators are certified BLS trainers. Through hands-on training and practical demonstrations, Dr. Mohammad Sya’rani emphasized the critical importance of prompt and confident action during medical emergencies, and equipping participants with the essential skills to respond effectively.
A major highlight of the course was the awarding of the Professional Certification (Valid for 2 years), making participants officially recognized as competent in CPR and AED usage. This certification marked a historic milestone for UTM, highlighting its continuous effort in offering professional certified AED & CPR programs.
One of the participants, Norfarah Aishah from UTM Endowment, shared her reflections on the experience
“This program was truly an eye-opening experience. Before today, I never realized how crucial it is to act fast in a real-life emergency. The trainers not only showed us the correct techniques but also gave us the confidence to perform them under pressure. I believe these skills are not just for the workplace — they are for our families, our neighbors, and the people around us. Now, I feel prepared to be a first responder if something were to happen to my loved ones or even strangers in need.”
The enthusiastic feedback highlighted the program’s success in raising awareness and building community resilience. By launching its first certified AED & CPR professional training, UTM has set a strong foundation to promote a culture of readiness and safety, ensuring more individuals are equipped with the skills to save lives.
The organizers extended their appreciation to Dr. Mohammad Sya’rani Najmuddin and UTM Health Centre staff for their expertises, as well as all participants for their active involvement. Moving forward, IJN-UTM Cardiovascular Engineering Centre is committed to expand such initiatives, aligning with the urgent national need to address circulatory diseases and sudden cardiac arrest through education, preparedness, and action.
Source: UTM NewsHub