Workshop for surgeons extended by two years
workshop to upskill Malaysian surgeons with the latest surgical technology and skills will be extended for another two years to incorporate more advanced training sessions.
The Science of Tissue Management (SoTM) workshop will expose surgeons to the latest surgical technologies, providing them with hands-on experience using better designed equipment.
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Malaysia and The College of Surgeons, Academy of Medicine Malaysia (CSAMM) will continue the partnership for the elevation and development of the current practicing surgeons in the country to improve their skills. It will also incorporate urology and cardiology specialties.
J&J Malaysia managing director Chin Keat Chyuan and CSAMM president Associate Professor Datuk Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Also present at the event were CSAMM vice president Professor Dr April Camilla Roslani and J&J Medical Affairs director Dr Yeoh Boon Hock.
To date, CSAMM has successfully completed three chapters of SoTM with J&J, benefitting over 180 participants inclusive of residents, medical officers and fellows nationwide, following the first MoU signed in October 2016.
Dr Hanafiah said: “We are pleased to partner with J&J to develop and support the SoTM 2.0 workshop as it enables us to address the knowledge gap by ensuring that our undergraduates and postgraduate surgeons are kept abreast with the latest technological advancements and gain hands-on experience with such devices.
“CSAMM has always actively championed the advancement of quality surgical education and training, to create a sustainable supply of surgeons trained to international standards, whilst shaping Malaysia into a premier surgical centre of excellence. We are confident that this smart partnership would allow us to bridge this gap,” he added.
Malaysia has barely over 9,000 specialists for the population of over 30 million people, and there is a pressing need for the healthcare industry to continuously upgrade facilities and upskill the local healthcare professionals to better address this gap.
April Camilla said: “There is an imbalance where trainees greatly outweigh the number of trainers, therefore surgical training must be delivered in a much more structured and efficient manner.
“With the application of science of tissue management, surgeons will benefit from the enhanced surgical equipment which reduces time constraints and increases efficiency.
“The science of tissue management workshop proves to be very helpful as seen by the constant requests we have received from our surgeons to continue this training.”
Chin said: “We are truly committed to caring and creating a healthier world. Therefore, we ensure all our products and services must be of the highest quality for all members of society, be it the surgeons or the patients. Through the SoTM workshops, we are able to share the knowledge and know-how of our latest technological devices that adhere to tissue management during surgery.”