WORDS LIM TECK CHOON
MEETING THE PROFESSOR
My introduction to Professor Dato’ Dr Balwant Singh Gendeh began in an unexpected way.
As a fresh face at HealthToday, I took a leap of faith and sent an email to this renowned ear, nose, and throat or ENT specialist. My pitch was an article about the peculiar objects and insects that sometimes find their way into people’s noses, ears, and throats. To my surprise and delight, Professor Balwant agreed to the interview without hesitation.
From our first meeting, it was clear that Professor Balwant was no ordinary medical practitioner. His intelligence shone through in every conversation, matched only by his charisma and an infectious passion for his field. As we delved into the world of otorhinolaryngology—the medical term for ENT, one that I quickly learned to pronounce correctly under his patient guidance—I found myself captivated by the intricacies of this medical specialty.
Our professional relationship grew over time, with Professor Balwant becoming a go-to expert for various ENT-related articles. His vast knowledge and ability to explain complex medical concepts in layman’s terms made him an invaluable resource. More than that, his dedication to the medical profession as a whole was inspiring, often going beyond the confines of his specialty to discuss broader healthcare issues.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia brought an unexpected hiatus to our interactions. However, I’m pleased to say that we’ve recently reconnected. This reunion has sparked an idea: why not reintroduce our readers to this remarkable individual?
Professor Balwant’s accomplishments in the field of ENT are numerous and impressive. As we embark on this journey to explore his life and work, I invite you to discover the man behind the titles—a pioneer, a passionate advocate for health, and a true luminary in the world of otorhinolaryngology.
AN UNEXPECTED CALLING
 FEATURED EXPERTPROFESSOR DATO’ DR BALWANT SINGH GENDEH Senior Consultant Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Surgeon Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur |
Professor Dato’ Dr Balwant Singh Gendeh’s journey to becoming a pioneering ENT surgeon was anything but straightforward.
In his early medical career, he was drawn to the fields of obstetrics and gynaecology as well as internal medicine, never imagining that otorhinolaryngology would become his life’s passion and the arena where he would make his most significant contributions.
A Fortuitous Assignment
The turning point came during his internship in Melaka, where he was first introduced to the intricate world of ear, nose, and throat medicine.
However, it was his posting in Jalan Hospital in Kuala Lumpur that truly cemented his path in ENT. This fortuitous assignment not only shaped his professional trajectory but also his personal life, as it was here that he met Dr Pritam Kaur Mangat, the woman who would become his beloved wife and the mother of his 2 children.
At the time, Malaysia was facing a critical shortage of ENT surgeons. Recognizing the need and seeing potential in the young Dr Balwant, his superiors stationed him to learn and assist in this specialized field. This hands-on experience ignited a passion that would drive his career for decades to come.
The Allure of ENT
What drew Professor Balwant to the field of ENT? With his characteristic playful humour, he responds: “It’s the small holes!”
Indeed, our head is a complex network of these small apertures, serving as gateways to 3 of our primary senses. “Hearing, smell, taste,” Professor Balwant points out, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
The significance of ENT further extends beyond these senses, playing a crucial role in our sense of balance, posture and by extension, our touch.
Professor Balwant leans forward, sharing an intriguing insight: “If you survey general practice in Malaysia, about 60% of the common ailments affecting the population are cough, cold, and runny nose. These are all issues affecting the ear, nose, and throat!”
This scenario underscores the pervasive nature of ENT-related health concerns in everyday life. Yet, despite their prevalence, ENT remains an underestimated and often misunderstood medical discipline.
Recognizing this disparity between the widespread occurrence of ENT issues and the limited understanding of the field, Professor Balwant saw an opportunity to contribute significantly into addressing some of the most common health concerns affecting the Malaysian population.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
From Novice to Expert
In 1989, Dr Balwant graduated as a surgeon from the National University of Malaysia (UKM) in Kuala Lumpur. Upon completion, he found himself in an elite group—one of the few ENT surgeons in the country’s public service at that time.
Pioneering New Techniques
Dr Balwant was not content with merely filling a gap in the medical landscape. He was determined to push the boundaries of his field and bring cutting-edge techniques to Malaysia.
In 1997, he made history by becoming one of the first few surgeons in the country to perform endoscopic sinus surgery. This breakthrough was significant because it offered a far less invasive alternative, reducing patient recovery time, and minimizing complications.
In 1995 and 2007, he patented two inventions in medicine with awards.
Building on this success, in 1998 Dr Balwant became the first to perform endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage repair and dacryocystorhinostomy, the endoscopic procedure for the repair of tearing from the eyes, in a university setting in Malaysia.
“I was also the first to introduce the use of biologics for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps and asthma under the insurance scheme in Malaysia,” he recalls. This is a gamechanger because someone with asthma and nasal polyps can significantly reduce their total steroid load as early as 4 months after the use of biologics.
International Training and Expertise
In 1997, Dr Balwant embarked on an intensive year of specialized training in the United States. As a JW Fulbright scholar, he spent time at 3 prestigious institutions, each focusing on a different aspect of advanced ENT surgery: anterior skull base techniques at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, central skull base and pituitary-related structures in the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and cosmetic nose surgery at St Joseph’s Hospital, Chicago.
This comprehensive training made Dr Balwant the first Malaysian ENT surgeon to gain expertise in cosmetic and functional corrective surgery, further cementing his status as a trailblazer in the field.
A Call to Educate
In the early 1990s, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia faced a shortage of lecturers. Recognizing Professor Balwant’s expertise, they extended an invitation for him to join their academic ranks.
He accepted, finding in lecturing an inspirational calling that complemented his medical practice. “The opportunity to shape the next generation of ENT specialists was too important to pass up,” he reflects. He also adds with a smile that the incentives were quite attractive too!
The demands of his dual roles as lecturer and practicing ENT surgeon left little room for personal life.
Professor Balwant recalls with a chuckle, “Can you believe it? I was so caught up in my work that I couldn’t even take leave for my own wedding! My wife and I had to register our marriage first and could only hold a proper ceremony with our loved ones at a much later date.”
TRANSITIONS
The Rewards of Public Service
Despite the hectic schedule, Professor Balwant found immense satisfaction in his work at the government hospital.
He explains, “Working in a public hospital exposes you to a vast array of cases. You encounter everything from diabetic patients with abscesses to rare systemic diseases affecting the sinuses. There are brain abscesses secondary to sinusitis that require a multidisciplinary approach, and fascinating cases of orbital and intracranial complications. The diversity and complexity of these cases make public university hospital work incredibly rewarding and intellectually stimulating.”
A New Road Ahead
In 2014, at the age of 60, Professor Balwant retired after 36 years of government service as a consultant ENT surgeon at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). However, retirement for him was merely a transition, not an end to his contributions to the field.
For the next 2 years, he continued to serve as a Visiting Professor at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology−Head and Neck Surgery at UKMMC. His expertise remains highly valued, and he continues to be invited to give lectures there to this day.
In 2016, Professor Balwant embarked on a new adventure, joining the private sector as a resident ENT consultant at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. This move allowed him to continue practicing while exploring new avenues in patient care and medical research.
Recognition and Leadership
Professor Balwant’s contributions to the field of ENT and medical science have not gone unnoticed.
In 2016, he received the highest honour of being elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (FASc).
The following year, he was bestowed the Fellow of Malaysian Scientific Association (FMSA), further cementing his status as a leading figure in Malaysian medical science.
Since 2020, Professor Balwant has taken on yet another significant role as the President of Specialist in Private Medical Practice (ASPMP) Malaysia. In this position, he continues to shape the landscape of specialized medical care in the country, drawing on his decades of experience in both public and private sectors.
At the time of writing, he is also an adjunct professor at Taylor’s University.
A NEW CHAPTER
Author and Editor
Retirement for Professor Balwant has been anything but quiet. With more time at his disposal, he has thrown himself into networking, attending conferences, and staying abreast of the latest developments in ENT and building bridges for the benefit of future ENT specialist.
As he puts it, “Retirement gave me the gift of time—time to explore, to learn, and to connect. It sparked a new passion in me: the desire to share the wealth of knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years with my peers. That’s what motivated me to take up writing and editing.”
Professor Balwant’s venture into editing medical books has been both rewarding and demanding. The process is often intensive, with deadlines as short as a few months. He describes his approach: “First, I determine the overarching theme of the book, drawing inspiration from the latest developments and breakthroughs in ENT. Then, I identify and invite suitable candidates to contribute articles on proposed topics both locally and internationally.”
However, the path from concept to publication is not always smooth. “Not everyone invited can submit an article, and some struggle to meet the deadlines,” he explains. “When necessary, I personally write articles to fill any gaps and ensure the resulting book is cohesive and comprehensive and wort the read.”
Bridging Knowledge Gaps
To date, Professor Balwant has written over 100 scientific papers with more than 700 citations and was the editor or co-editor of 12 books and 40 book chapters.
These papers and books serve a crucial purpose in the medical community. They offer a platform for sharing cutting-edge information, techniques, and research findings among ENT specialists and other healthcare professionals. Professor Balwant’s dedication to this work stems from his belief in the power of shared knowledge to advance medical practice and improve patient care.
Advocating for Improved ENT Education
Beyond his writing and editing, Professor Balwant continues to be a vocal advocate for improving ENT care in Malaysia. He has specific recommendations for the Ministry of Education Malaysia, including extending ENT posting for medical students from 2 to 3 weeks.
“We need to give our future doctors more exposure to ENT during their studies,” he argues. “A longer training period would equip them with a deeper understanding of ENT issues, leading to better diagnosis and treatment in general practice. This, in turn, would improve the quality and accessibility of ENT treatments for all Malaysians.”
A Legacy of Continuous Learning
As he reflects on this new chapter of his career, Professor Balwant emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and adaptation in the medical field. “The world of medicine is ever evolving,” he notes. “As professionals, we have a responsibility to keep learning, to keep sharing, and to keep pushing the boundaries of patient care.”
Through his ongoing work in writing, editing, and advocacy, Professor Balwant continues to shape the future of ENT in Malaysia and beyond. His journey as a surgeon, educator, author, and editor serves as an inspiring example of how a dedication to one’s field can find new expressions throughout a lifetime of service.
| This article is part of our series on inspiring real-life stories of healthcare industry professionals as well as everyday people. |
