By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 4: Sarawakian Adela Ida Jiram made history as the first Iban woman to be appointed president of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM).
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Adela is a Senior Science Officer at the Institute of Medical Research and a respected parasitologist. Her work focuses on malaria research in both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, including Sarawak and Sabah.
Her appointment as the Society’s 63rd president was announced during the 62nd MSPTM annual conference in Ipoh, Perak, on March 30–31, which brought together researchers, scientists, and public health experts from across the country. The event was officiated by Perak State Health Department director Dato’ Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha and carried the theme: “Bridging Science and Society: Community-based Research to Fight Against Infectious Diseases.”
Speakers at the conference stressed that combating diseases like malaria and dengue requires more than lab work. Understanding local communities, cultural practices, and social behaviour is essential for effective interventions.
Emeritus Professor Balbir Singh from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) received the prestigious Sandosham Award for his pioneering work on zoonotic malaria in Sarawak. Since joining UNIMAS in 1999, his research on Plasmodium knowlesi has transformed malaria diagnosis and treatment, improving clinical management and reducing mortality. Recognised among Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists, he has also contributed to global health policy through his work with the World Health Organization.
Associate Professor Paul Cliff Simon Divis, Director of the Malaria Research Centre at UNIMAS, highlighted the importance of community engagement in high-risk areas such as Kapit. He said culturally sensitive, participatory, and behaviour-focused approaches are critical for malaria awareness and prevention. His work calls for community-driven strategies that empower locals to take ownership of disease prevention. — DayakDaily
