Revitalizing Surgical Excellence: The 11th ORL-HNS Basic Surgical Skills Workshop Makes a Triumphant Return

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Revitalizing Surgical Excellence: The 11th ORL-HNS Basic Surgical Skills Workshop Makes a Triumphant Return

On February 27, 2025, the Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), in collaboration with the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Wilayah Persekutuan, marked a significant milestone by hosting the 11th ORL-HNS Basic Surgical Skills Workshop. This event not only revived a tradition that had been dormant for two decades but also underscored the commitment to nurturing surgical talent.

A Diverse and Engaged Community

The workshop welcomed 30 participants from a wide range of medical backgrounds, including medical students, medical officers, postgraduate ENT trainees, and general practitioners. Notably, two medical students from Dundee University seized the opportunity to hone their hand-tying techniques, while medical officers from various Ministry of Health hospitals demonstrated their keen interest in pursuing surgical specialties. Additionally, ENT postgraduate trainees from both UKM and the University of Malaya (UM) enhanced their foundational surgical skills, reflecting the workshop’s appeal across different stages of medical careers.

From left: Assoc. Prof Dr Noor Dina (Course Advisor, UKM), Dr Rusha Jameel (participant), Dr Hardip Singh Gendeh (Course Coordinator, UKM) and Dr Lum Sai Guan (Course Director, UKM).
Assoc Prof Dr Mawaddah Azman (Head of Dept. of ORL-HNS, Faculty of Medicine, UKM) officiating the course.
Akash Sachdev (left) and Thomas Whitelaw (right), final year medical students from The University of Dundee, United Kingdom participated in the course.
Participants in attention during the course

A New Era of Surgical Excellence

This workshop marked a significant revival, as it was the first organised by MMA Wilayah Persekutuan since 2004, when Datuk Dr. Kuljit Singh led a similar event at UM. Recognising the importance of continuous professional development, MMA Wilayah Persekutuan is committed to organising more skill-enhancement courses, ensuring that medical practitioners remain equipped with essential surgical competencies. Dr. Rusha Jameel from the Maldives was honoured as the best participant for the day, highlighting the international appeal and competitive spirit of the event.

Dr Kuljit Singh (center) with Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (Consultant Breast and Endocrine Surgeon) and Dr Kuladeva Ratnam (Consultant Plastic Surgeon) in 2004 during the 1st UMMC-MMA Wilayah Persekutuan wound suturing workshop and wound care symposium at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.

A Shared Vision for Excellence

The successful execution of this workshop underscores the collaborative commitment of UKM and MMA Wilayah Persekutuan to fostering surgical excellence and professional growth within the medical community. By reviving this tradition, they are paving the way for future generations of surgeons to excel in their field, ensuring that the pursuit of surgical mastery remains vibrant and accessible.

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