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By Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 4: The Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists (MSA) and College of Anaesthesiologists (CoA) have successfully organised Global Surgery initiatives recently in Sri Aman and Miri.
Their efforts had received applaud from Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when he officiated at their Annual Scientific Congress themed ‘My 2023 Anaesthesia: Leadership and Excellence in Anaesthesia Development‘ held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
On Mar 12 to 19 this year, MSA and CoA together with doctors from Subang Jaya Medical Centre joined hands to carry out Global Surgery initiative in the Sri Aman Hospital to successfully operate on 37 patients and on 31 patients in the Miri Hospital from July 24 to 8.
The Global Surgery initiative is a first-of-its-kind Public-Private Partnership and corporate social relations (CSR) initiative that aims to provide access to safe and affordable surgical and anaesthesia care in underserved areas in Malaysia.
This was considered one of the first few CSR projects where surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, and other allied healthcare professionals from the private sector joined forces to work together with the public health system to identify district hospitals where the need for surgical services has not been completely met.
Apart from praising MSA and CoA for their Global Surgery initiative, Abang Johari acknowledged that professional body plays an extremely important role in developing related profession.
He said over the years, there has been an increasing number of trained and qualified anaesthesiologists who are able to deliver safe anaesthesia services in the country, extending to the remote parts, for example, in interior Sarawak.
“This is largely due to the tenacity and perseverance of your predecessors in anaesthesia, who had the vision to establish specialty and subspecialty training programmes and formed engaged professional bodies to develop the specialties to look after your interests and welfare.
“I am informed that the MSA and CoA represent the anaesthesia fraternity, and today, I am happy to see many in the younger generation taking up the baton to continue the good work.
“I urge everyone to use the groundwork laid down for them and to bring the specialties to greater heights,” said Abang Johari.
Also present were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian who is also Health, Housing and Local Government Minister and Sarawak Health Department deputy director Dr Azlee Ayub. — DayakDaily
