UMPSA Experts Empower Pahang Health Personnel in Statistical Analysis for Entomological and Pest Surveillance Data
Academics from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) are stepping out of the lecture halls and onto the front lines of public health. A team from the Centre for Mathematical Sciences recently spearheaded an intensive workshop designed to equip healthcare personnel with practical statistical skills to interpret better and utilise surveillance data collected in the field.
The workshop, titled The Competency Enhancement Course on Statistical Data Analysis in Entomological and Pest Surveillance, was held on 10 June 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It brought together 36 healthcare personnel from the Pahang State Health Department (JKN Pahang) and several District Health Offices (PKD), including PKD Lipis, PKD Kuantan, PKD Pekan, PKD Temerloh, and PKD Bentong.
The training was led by Dr. Siti Zanariah Satari, who guided participants through statistical concepts and analytical approaches relevant to entomological and pest surveillance. Alongside her, expert facilitators Dr. Nor Alisa Mohd Damanhuri and Dr. Noraziah Adzhar provided hands-on guidance, walking participants through statistical techniques for managing pests and insect-borne threats.
The workshop was designed to help health officers transform field-collected data into meaningful insights that support effective public health action. Rather than viewing surveillance data as simply numbers in a report, participants learned how to analyse and interpret trends that could signal emerging health risks before they develop into larger outbreaks.
Through interactive sessions and practical applications, participants were introduced to statistical tools and techniques that can support informed, evidence-based decision-making. These skills can be applied to identifying potential outbreak hotspots, monitoring pest and insect populations, and anticipating future pest-related risks, enabling health officers to respond more effectively and confidently in protecting public health.
By strengthening the analytical capabilities of state health personnel, UMPSA contributes to improved public health surveillance and disease prevention efforts across Pahang, supporting healthier and more resilient communities. The knowledge gained is hoped to further enhance data-driven surveillance and strengthen future public health responses.
Author: Dr. Noraziah Adzhar