AFSM Tripartite
Conference 2022

WELCOME MESSAGE

The Academy for Silent Mentor (AFSM), the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCS Ed), the College of Surgeons Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (CSAMM), and the Ministry of Health of Malaysia (MOH) have put together an exciting program for the 3-day Tripartite Conference on Healthcare Challenges in the 21st Century, which will run from 14 to 16 December 2022, in the beautiful city of Kuching, on the island of Borneo, Malaysia. 

Together with our 3 partners, we have identified some of the important healthcare challenges we face today. Amongst these, is healthcare and surgery in the remote and rural communities, as well as trauma care particularly in remote areas, and in conflict and disaster. The provision of humanitarian healthcare in these settings is vital and it is important for us to be aware on how best to deliver this. I am delighted that the RCS Ed has put together a fantastic symposium on Remote, Rural and Humanitarian Care, and Trauma Care, with the AFSM and MOH. 

One of the most serious and challenging of healthcare emergencies is dealing with acute aortic dissections, a tear in the aorta, which if untreated, can rupture and be fatal. I am delighted that the RCS Ed, CSAMM, and the Malaysian Association for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, have put together an Aortic Dissection Symposium at which international experts in this field will share their knowledge and experience in dealing with this most challenging of conditions. A silent mentor workshop on the surgical techniques to treat this condition will also be held which will be particularly useful for cardiothoracic surgeons. There is also a session on Aortic Dissection Awareness for all doctors and healthcare professionals, as well as patients and the public. It is hoped that this event will help prevent this deadly condition by better control of risk factors, improve outcomes by earlier and more accurate diagnosis, and better improved surgical techniques.

Surgery has advanced significantly in recent years and along with this, there is increased expectations from both patients, their relatives, as well as other doctors and healthcare professionals. It is important that surgical training is of the highest standards to produce the best surgeons. The CSAMM has put together an exciting symposium on Surgical Training in the 21st Century with the AFSM drawing on the expertise of some of the most experienced surgical trainers.

But perhaps the most serious of healthcare challenges we have faced this century is the COVID-19 pandemic. The MOH has put together an excellent symposium on the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic together with the AFSM, where international and national experts will share with you their experience in dealing with this disease, as well as how we have responded to contain the pandemic, and some of the innovations in vaccine development and treatments for this new disease. 

The AFSM has also organised a symposium on Bioethics Challenges at which we hope to share with you some of the challenges in body and organ donations, as well as some of the research in these areas. 

Lastly, I hope to personally see you, and welcome you to the conference in the beautiful city of Kuching in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia. This is such a lovely and laidback city, with the most friendly people of many cultures, the most fantastic variety of local food and produce, and which has some of the most interesting places and sights to visit and explore. 

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Dr. John Chan Kok Meng
Conference President
AFSM Tripartite Conference 2022

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MESSAGE FROM AFSM

The pandemic of COVID-19 induces fear in our daily life. Despite the challenge of fear and isolation, our pledgers, our sponsors, our partners, our students, and our volunteers remained committed in our mission of doing good for society. In the past year of trials and tribulation, we had time to reflect and investigate the purpose of this very life, which is an altruistic giving, a donation for the good of others. We are eternally grateful to all the patrons of Academy For Silent Mentor:

“Thank you for your unending support.
You are our inspiration to do good.
Working together, we give back to society.
Your endless love is what makes us care.
Witnessing these blessings, we donate for the good of others.”

This is humanity at its best with altruism and compassion when challenged with fear and isolation during the pandemic. Equipped with the best qualities of humanity, we look forward to having a physical meeting in the coming months of endemic.  This Tripartite Conference is uniquely organised and managed by a group of AFSM Pro Bono professionals and public volunteers. We anticipate an exchange of mind and learning experience in a most friendly, empathetic, and compassionate environment served by our AFSM Pro-Bono Publico, whom AFSM and MOU partners are grateful for their selfless contributions. Should there be a surplus fund from this Tripartite Conference, it will be put to good use for the development fund of AFSM in both Training centres at Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, respectively, and the development of Giving Beyond Medical Outreach Programme.

Yours sincerely

Prof. Dr. Chin Kin Fah
Founding Chairman and Executive Director
Academy For Silent Mentor

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MESSAGE FROM RCSEd

Dear Delegates,

On behalf of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, I would like to extend to you an invitation to join us at the 2022 AFSM Tripartite Conference in Sarawak, Malaysia. We are delighted to have partnered with the Ministry of Health in Malaysia and the Academy for Silent Mentor to deliver this conference, which will focus on several areas, ranging from the impact of the pandemic to the challenges of practicing medicine in remote and rural environments.

The College, through its Faculty of Remote, Rural and Humanitarian Healthcare, has taken the lead in defining and setting standards of competence for organisations and individuals involved in the delivery of healthcare in challenging environments. Several Faculty representatives will attend the Conference to discuss how we can improve outcomes for individuals living and working in remote, rural, austere, and life-threatening areas of the world. Join us as we discuss innovative and dynamic practices to help you develop your understanding of this fast-developing field, grow your skills, and be part of a diverse community.

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is one of the oldest surgical colleges in the world and with almost 40% of our membership overseas, we are eager to continue to represent our international Fellows and Members and support them with the guidance and resources to champion the highest standards of patient safety worldwide. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching in Sarawak will make an excellent backdrop for the conference, and provide an exceptional opportunity to share learnings, connect with old colleagues and forge new connections in a post-covid world.

We hope to see you there.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr Pala Rajesh
RCSEd Former Vice President

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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF HEALTH

As we transition into the endemic phase of COVID-19, it is timely that the Academy for Silent Mentor (AFSM) is organising the Tripartite Conference on Healthcare Challenges in the 21^st Century to share and discuss our experience and prepare us for future healthcare challenges. The international symposium will provide a platform for the Ministry of Health, together with international experts from around the world, to share our experience in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, including the effectiveness of measures adopted locally and internationally to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, the research into and results of vaccination and treatments, as well as the lessons we have learnt and what the future holds.

The conference will also focus on surgical service provision, such as clearing the surgical backlogs as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and providing healthcare in remote and rural environments and on an urgent basis for trauma. This is a significant challenge in Malaysia and many other parts of the world. Hence, I am pleased that the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCS Ed) and the Academy for Silent Mentor (AFSM) have joined with the Ministry of Health to share their wealth of experience and expertise on this subject and contribute towards the Remote, Rural and Urgent Healthcare Symposium and workshops. This conference also features the latest clinical advancement in managing acute aortic dissections, and I am delighted that RCSEd and the Malaysian Association for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (MATCVS) are organising an Aortic Dissection Symposium where experts from around the world can learn from each other to improve the overall prognosis of this life-threatening condition.

I congratulate the AFSM, RCSEd, CSAMM and MATCVS for putting together this comprehensive and timely scholastic conference. The training of surgeons has always been a major significant challenge in healthcare, perhaps more so in the 21^st century, with the increasing use of minimally invasive techniques and the growing complexity of some surgical treatments. The need to ensure the safety of our patients and that they receive the best possible treatment makes it essential that we train our surgeons to the best of their ability and in a safe environment. Moreover, the Tripartite Conference on Healthcare Challenges in the 21^st Century will address the gaps in non-technical skills that are also increasingly crucial for surgeons.

I am delighted to support the Tripartite Conference on Healthcare Challenges in the 21^st Century, organised by the Academy for Silent Mentor (AFSM), the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, the College of Surgeons Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, and the Ministry of Health Malaysia. On behalf of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, I wish you a productive conference that will benefit our patients and country

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham bin Abdullah

Director-General of Health, Malaysia

Senior Consultant in Breast & Endocrine Surgery

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CONFERENCE VENUE

The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) is the first international purpose-built convention centre in Sarawak, Malaysia. Growing alongside Sarawak’s position as a captivating culture, adventure and nature destination on the exotic island of Borneo, the BCCK debuted in 2009, as a state initiative of the Sarawak Government to grow business tourism through the hosting of business events. To date, the BCCK has hosted close to 1,400 events and welcomed 1.7 million clients, delegates and visitors from various regions of the world.

Situated on the Kuching Isthmus and ringed by the Sarawak River, the BCCK is approximately fifteen minutes’ drive from the city centre and twenty minutes’ drive from the Kuching International Airport.

Conceived and built with nature and a green theme in mind, the Centre’s structural designs were inspired by the rainforest trees of Borneo with a roof akin to the native ririk leaf. Fulfilling both form and function, the building showcases its distinctive interior and exterior architectural features designed to deliver BCCK’s business purpose as well as the Centre’s commitment to environmental sustainability and conservation.

The BCCK epitomizes the progressive vision of the Sarawak Government to bring socio-economic progress to the state through new sources of growth. From its humble beginning, the BCCK is an exemplar in Malaysia of how a convention venue can rise to become an ambassador to promote its second-tier city. The Centre has received local, national and regional accolades for professional standards, innovation and best practices achieved within Malaysia’s business events industry, and for having the size and capabilities to handle the requirements of different conferences in a bespoke manner.

AFSM TRIPARTITE CONFERENCE 2018

The 1st AFSM (Academy for Silent Mentor) Tripartite Conference 2018 was held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), Malaysia on Dec 14 and 15, 2018.  It was expected to gather 400 practitioners, professionals, academicians, public sector representatives within the medical and social science, as well as non-governmental organisation (NGOs) from all over Asia Pacific.

Ahead of this programme was the pre-congress workshops at Sarawak Heart Centre and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) City Campus on Dec 12 and 13.

This Conference was consist of three tracks of scientific programmes- The fifth Academic Conference of the Asian Society of Cryosurgery, the Inaugural Conference on Cancer Innovation, and the Inaugural Conference on Humanity, Bioethics and Medical Outreach.  The quality of the global linkages of 85 renowned speakers and delegates and the precise nature of the topics covered was make the AFSM Tripartite Conference 2018 as ideal learning platform.