https://www.wikiimpact.com/9-extraordinary-faces-of-healthcare-in-malaysia/
#2: Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, A Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician Who Fights For All Children To Be Immunised
Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin has graced the television screens imparting his knowledge on paediatric care. However, he has gained more prominence due to his unflinching criticism and suggestion on COVID-19 management in the earlier days of the pandemic. A familiar face at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital’s neonatal and paediatric department, the consultant paediatrician is also an advisor to a local NGO, IMAM Response and Relief Team (IMARET)[4].
Much of my work as a paediatrician is preventative in nature – growth monitoring, assessing developmental milestones, immunisation. As a private paediatrician working in Damansara, a largely affluent community, I don’t see enough of the true spectrum of the Malaysian paediatric population. – Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin[4]
Through IMARET, Dato Dr Musa is resolute to make healthcare accessible to the marginalised and underprivileged children by providing outreach health services to refugees, children living in kampung and Orang Asli settlements. Part of the bi-weekly outreach clinics is to ensure children are immunised to prevent any outbreak of infectious diseases such as measles.
This outreach stemmed from a fear that was realised in 2019 when a measles outbreak proved fatal in an Orang Asli settlement in Kuala Koh, Kelantan due to incomplete immunisation[5]. Only 61.5% of the villagers received the first MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) vaccine shot and only 30% completed their second doses[5].
For the refugee and immigrant children, we run clinics every 2-4 weeks. Immunisation of these children is important as they could otherwise be the potential epicentre for an outbreak! – Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin[4]
In 2017, Dato Dr Musa was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award from the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA)[6]. He is a man with many capes when it comes to paediatric healthcare who has remained vocal in tackling the misconception prevailing in vaccinating children in the community.
I’m honoured and humbled to receive this award but I believe the real credit goes to the ‘invisible hands’ who work tirelessly with every project I’m involved in. These are the real heroes who deserve the recognition for their time, effort and sacrifice. – Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin[6]
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