UKM Faculty of Medicine Hosts Inaugural Congress of Medicine and Health 2024

WORDS DR HARDIP SINGH GENDEH

FEATURED EXPERT
DR HARDIP SINGH GENDEH
Lecturer and Specialist Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Faculty of Medicine
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

The Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) successfully held the 1st Congress of Medicine and Health (CoMedH) 2024 on June 22nd and 23rd, 2024, at the Marriott Putrajaya Hotel.

The congress, themed Medical Advances in Science and Health, aimed to bridge the gap and integrate pre-clinical research with clinical practice. It promoted UKM’s core principles, termed TERAS: sharpening Talent, adhering to research Ethics, Revitalizing research abilities, developing Agile researchers, and sustaining an inquisitive Soul.

INAUGURATION AND KEY ATTENDEES

Professor Dato’ Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid, Pro Vice Chancellor of the UKM Kuala Lumpur Campus, inaugurated the debut congress. He emphasized the importance of molecular biology, such as genomics and stem cells, in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

The event was patronized by Professor Dr Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) of UKM. The organising committee received a congratulatory message from Professor Datin Dr Marina Mat Baki, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine UKM who was on a Hajj Pilgrimage.

Key attendees at the opening ceremony included:

  • Professor Dr Mohamad Nasir Shafie (Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation and Congress Advisor)
  • Professor Datin Dr Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim (Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies)
  • Associate Professor Dr Ruslinda Mustafar (Assistant Dean of Clinical Services)
  • Associate Professor Dr Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail (Assistant Dean of Teaching and CITRA)
  • Associate Professor Dr Mohd Helmy Mokhtar (Assistant Dean of Entrepreneurship)
  • Associate Professor Dr Elena Aisha Azizan (Congress Chairperson)
  • Associate Professor Dr Adli Ali (Congress Vice Chairperson)
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE

In a plenary session titled Healthy Hospital, Healthy Planet: Integrating Sustainability into Healthcare Facilities, Professor Dato’ Dr Hanafiah highlighted that climate change has altered the landscape of diseases worldwide. He stressed the need for long-term sustainable efforts to keep our planet healthy.

The session also showcased UKM’s plans for a Health Technopolis, based on four key principles:

  1. Cutting-edge innovation
  2. Bench to bedside research
  3. Service excellence
  4. Sustainability

UKM’s sustainable initiatives include rooftop solar solutions, low-energy equipment, green premises, improved waste management, electric vehicles, zero plastics, green procurement, and better management of carbon footprints.

CONGRESS HIGHLIGHT

The congress was divided into two tracks:

  • Clinical track, represented by clinical researchers and specialists in respective fields of medicine.
  • Medical sciences track, represented by researchers and lecturers from the pre-clinical division.

Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Raymond Azman Ali, a senior consultant neurologist at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), delivered the keynote speech. He spoke on ‘A Multidisciplinary Approach to Epilepsy Management Strategies’, highlighting the variation in epilepsy presentations and the latest evidence-based strategies for treating epilepsy patients.

AWARDS AND INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

The congress offered several awards, including the Clinical Investigator Award and Basic Science Investigator Award.

A successful networking session between UKM and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) took place, led by Associate Professor Dr Elena Aisha Azizan from UKM and Professor Richard Grose from QMUL. This session fostered potential research collaborations, sabbatical visits, and fellowship initiatives between the two universities.

The Young Scientist Clinicians Network (YSCN) hosted a plenary on industrial engagement and Young Scientist Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia membership benefits.

FOSTERING RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION

The congress successfully gathered young researchers from the fields of medicine and health sciences from the Faculty of Medicine and research institutions throughout Malaysia. Several biotechnology and health companies participated by displaying their services via booths.

The event provided a platform for young researchers and scientists to present their work, promoted networking among pre-clinical and clinical researchers, and strengthened the Faculty of Medicine’s contributions to UKM as a research university. It also enhanced UKM’s narrative of Watan, which involves developing local researchers and scientists with inclusiveness of all backgrounds, while enhancing understanding of good clinical and research practices.

Experts & Parents Come Together to Raise Awareness of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

On 4 September 2023, the Pertubuhan Kumpulan Sokongan Ibu Bapa Dan Bayi Pramatang Malaysia (BPM) and the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy partnered to organize a media roundtable called Taking a Closer Look at RSV.

RSV is short for respiratory syncytial virus, one of the most prevalent viruses that infect the respiratory system of mostly children below 3.

FEATURED EXPERT
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR ADLI ALI
Head of Clinical Immunology
UKM Children’s Specialist Hospital

“RSV is a disease that has been around for a long time, yet the number of cases is still high. The actual burden of the disease is not known from the economic impact on the healthcare system which includes admission costs, utilization of respiratory supports, as well the economic and social impact on the family of patients. Therefore, prevention is very important in addressing the further progression of the disease in the country.”

FEATURED EXPERT
AZRUL ABDUL KHALIB
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy

“With the varied guidelines on prevention, we need to prioritize and respond with more urgency to RSV which can have a life-long impact. Parents, caregivers and the community at large need to understand the severity of the disease, how it can affect the future of our nation and what can be done to address them immediately.”

Azrul also called for more streamlined guidelines for RSV prevention and to ensure the channels for parents to seek support and financial aid for their children are made more accessible.

Furthermore, increased availability of preventive options would help reduce mortality and save children’s lives.