More than 3,000 youths attend Adolescent Health Carnival in Miri

Miri, Sarawak – 20 June 2025 – More than 3,000 youths, educators and community members came together at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, for the Adolescent Health Carnival 2025, a two-day event aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their health and relationships.

Held on 14 and 15 June, the carnival was a collaborative initiative between the Miri Divisional Health Office and Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), transforming critical health education into an engaging and interactive experience for young participants across the Miri Division.

Supported by Yayasan Sime Darby and Business Events Sarawak (BE Sarawak), the programme was made possible through the partnership of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri; the Miri District Education Office, the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), the Miri Youth Association, and several local non-governmental organisations.

Centred on the theme ‘Promoting Awareness and Preventing Teenage Pregnancy in Miri Division,’ the carnival created a safe and inclusive environment for adolescents to explore topics often considered difficult to discuss openly. Through interactive workshops, exhibitions, and peer-led discussions, participants learned about reproductive health, emotional well-being, and responsible decision-making.

The initiative also served as a platform for youth leadership. Selected participants were trained as peer facilitators, enabling them to continue health awareness activities in their own schools and communities.

Dr. Voltisa Thartori, project lead from Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, said the initiative aimed to empower young people through open dialogue and education.

“We wanted to create a space where young people feel safe asking questions, a space that replaces fear with knowledge and stigma with understanding,” she said.

Dr. Hana Chen Wei Jun, a member of the project team, highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in addressing adolescent health challenges.

“This collaboration shows how education, when combined with compassion and community support, can create meaningful and lasting change,” she said.

A pre- and post-event survey conducted during the carnival showed a significant improvement in participants’ understanding of sexual and reproductive health. Knowledge levels among attendees increased from moderate to high following the educational sessions.

The survey also found that both male and female students benefited equally from the programme, while older adolescents aged 15 to 19 demonstrated particularly strong knowledge gains.

An additional exploratory survey revealed strong interest among youths in learning more about relationships and emotional well-being. The carnival’s interactive format was widely praised for helping bridge communication gaps between teenagers, parents and educators, while reducing stigma around sensitive health topics.

The project team from Curtin Malaysia included Dr. Voltisa Thartori, Dr. Hana Chen Wei Jun, Dr. Mitshel Lino, Miguel Guimaraes Barros De Sá and Josfirin Uding Anak Rangga.

The organisers also expressed their appreciation to Business Events Sarawak for supporting the initiative as a legacy project that contributes to sustainable development, community engagement and long-term social impact in Sarawak.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Opening ceremony of the Adolescent Health Carnival 2025 at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri.

Front row (from left) Dr Mitshel Lino, Dr Hana Chen Wei Jun, Dr Voltisa Thartori and Miguel Guimaraes Barros De Sá with staff from Ministry of Health Miri Division.