400 to attend 17th National Geriatric Conference Aug 18 to 20

KUCHING: Over 400 healthcare professionals including doctors and nurses are expected to attend the 17th National Geriatric Conference here Aug 18 to 20.

Organised by Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine (MGSM), the conference to discuss and develop strategies as well as share knowledge on integrated care for geriatrics will be hosted in this city for the first time.

“Malaysia is expected to be an aged nation by 2030 so this conference is a timely call to provide integrated care for older people.

“To meet challenges and complexities of providing health care to older people, a personcentered, inter-professional and integrated care approach is needed,” it said in a press release.

The theme “Integrated Care for Older Persons: The Frontiers of Geriatric Medicine“is chosen for local and international experts to share knowledge and experience on transdisciplinary care for the older adults.

Sarawak despite its distinct demographic features is facing an oncoming silver tsunami, said MGSM.

“In Sarawak particularly, this problem is further exacerbated by the low patient/geriatrician ratio.

“Covid-19 has placed a spotlight on the management of the healthcare and well-being of the frail elderly.

“It has highlighted the significant shortfalls in the structure, priorities and organisation of the system and exemplified the obsolete approach adopted in clinical practice, particularly when applied to frail older persons,” it added.

Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian will open the conference Aug 18.

Supported by the Sarawak Convention Bureau, this conference will feature

85 experts in geriatric medicine with discussion for groundbreaking knowledge, research and new geriatric care model.

Featuring six plenaries and 14 symposiums, the conference will allow healthcare professionals in geriatric medicine to learn and share best practices of new model of care by transdisciplinary approach.

Community geriatric, geriatric dentistry and peri-operative geriatric will also be presented.