All posts by Chee Peng Hor

Dr Wu Lien-Teh Award for Best Student in Doctor of Public Health, Universiti Malaya, Featured, Post

Second Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Award for Best Student in Doctor of Public Health, Universiti Malaya 2023

On March 3 2023, President and representatives from the Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Society attended the award ceremony for the Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Award for Best Student in Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Universiti Malaya, organized by Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. There were 7 highly qualified finalists shortlisted for this award. Dr Wong Min Fui @Esther Wong （黄明慧） from Sabah, a mother of two, was the winner for this award second year in running.

Dr Wong completed her Master in Public Health and DrPH over 4 years in time during the COVID-19 pandemic. She developed a digital psychosocial intervention for low income urban dwellers for her project. Her passion working with urban poor community and mental health stemmed from her 12 years working experiences at the primary care and district health office in Sabah and Kuala Lumpur. She owed her success to her family. Growing up in a B40 family is never a barrier to become a successful person. In fact, she becomes more resilient and steadfast. She felt it is not enough to have a good policy in public health, the implementers must belief it works and building trust in order to convince people to actually follow it. 

Dr Wong received congratulatory notes from her DrPH supervisors (Prof. Dr. Hazreen bin Abdul Majid and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mas Ayu binti Said) and strong mandate to go extra miles with her selfless characters from her Head of Department, Professor Dr. Victor Hoe Chee Wai Abdullah. Prof Victor emphasized the importance of self enrichment and enriching the world, living to the value of selflessness with great characters and personalities that touches lives. During the speech by Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Anwar Fazal, health activism is a core component of making impacts with positive changes when one like Dr Wu ignited actions and stood up bravely to take the necessary actions.

We also have the first recipient of the award 2021, Dr Wan Kim Sui to join the ceremony. He shared the value of the award in inspiring him going further in his career and life. Post award, he received peer recognition, promotion in his career to National Institutes of Health, Malaysia and invitations from other civil societies for collaborations.

This award was set up by the Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society in collaboration with Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya in 2021. It aims to inspire fellow awardees to continue their passion in public health and to follow the footstep of Dr. Wu. Dr. Wu Lien-Teh was a highly respected public health physician and an internationally acclaimed plague fighter in the medical fraternity. Not only was he the first Malayan student who graduated from the University of Cambridge in Medicine, he was also the first nominee from Malaya to be considered for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1935. In the advent of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Wu’s contributions as a plague fighter a century ago, right from the face mask design and implementation of a variety of public health measures epitomize his control strategies since the beginning of this pandemic.

The selection process for this award is conducted by an independent panel of academicians set up by the Faculty of Medicine and approved by the Senate of Universiti Malaya, with 4 domains of evaluation (leadership, community engagement, academic standing and professionalism). The awardee receives a medal, RM 1000 cash prize and a certificate from the Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society.

Dr Wong Min Fui with the medal and mock cheque.
Dr Wong Min Fui received the award from Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Anwar Fazal, President of the Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Society, in the presence of Prof. Sanjay Rampal (left), Prof. Victor Hoe and Prof. Shahrul Bahyah (right).
Winner with representatives from Faculty of Medicine and Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society. From left to right: Mr Clement Liang Chow Ming, Dr Wan Kim Sui (1st award recipient), Prof. Dr. Victor Hoe, Prof. Dr. Sanjay Rampal, Dr Wong Min Fui, Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Anwar Fazal, Prof. Dr. Wong Li Ping, Dr. Hor Chee Peng and Mr. Ronald Quay Ong Guan.
Group Photo in TJ Danaraj Auditorium, Universiti Malaya
Group Photo in TJ Danaraj Auditorium, Universiti Malaya

Representatives from the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya
Professor Dr. Sanjay Rampal A/L Lekhraj Rampal, Acting Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Professor Dr Shahrul Bahyah binti Kamaruzzaman, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate), Faculty of Medicine
Professor Dr. Victor Hoe Chee Wai bin Abdullah, Head, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Professor Dr. Claire Choo Wan Yuen, Acting Head, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Professor Dr. Wong Li Ping, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Representatives from the Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Society
Professor Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Anwar Fazal, President
Dr. Hor Chee Peng, Secretary- General
Mr. Clement Liang Chow Ming, Honorary Treasurer
Mr. Ronald Quay Ong Guan, Committee Member

Full record of the ceremony is accessible via YouTube: (1) Dr. Wu Lien Teh Award Ceremony – YouTube

Do have a look on the video especially on the congratulatory notes from her supervisors!

More information from media coverage:

Dr Wong Min Fui@Esther Wong Won the Dr Wu Lien-Teh Award 2023 for the Best Student in Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Universiti Malaya | Department of Social and Preventive Medicine (um.edu.my)

Winner of award named after Malayan ‘plague fighter’ says driven to help less fortunate | Malay Mail

Health is wealth not just figurative, Dr Wu Lien-Teh Award winner finds | Malay Mail

Winner of award named after Malayan ‘plague fighter’ says driven to help less fortunate (theborneopost.com)

KTemoc Konsiders ……..: Winner of award named after Malayan ‘plague fighter’ says driven to help less fortunate

Featured, Post, Role of the Society during COVID-19 Pandemic

Webinar “Living with COVID-19”

We cordially invite you to join the webinar “Living with COVID-19” co-organized by The Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society, Penang Institute and Penang Medical Practitioners’ Society.

Date: 12 December 2020, Saturday

Time: 2.00pm

Venue: Webinar (Google Meet)

Please register here: https://livingwithcovid19.eventbrite.com

Note: Participants will receive the link to the webinar in a follow-up email after registration.

The protracted and global nature of the Covid-19 pandemic is having repercussions on daily life—and on international affairs—in ways that no one could have predicted. The 1918 flu pandemic lasted for exactly two years, and this appears to be a reasonable timeline for any plans concerning Covid-19 today.

So how are we to survive Covid-19? Apart from physical survival, what most of us are concerned about is how we will be affected by prolonged lockdowns, by bans on travel, by schools and childcare centres staying closed, by limitations on outdoor and social life and by political control on movements, and sanctions on behaviour. How are we collectively to develop rational and effective ways to get back as well as we can without losing too much of what are beloved parts of our culture. Disorientation is a defining factor for a crisis, and therefore limiting disorientation is a vital goal in fighting a crisis.

This webinar where three medical doctors, and one of Penang’s most innovative social activists, are involved, would like to contribute to this discussion.


Opening remarks by:
1. Dato’ (Dr.) Anwar Fazal (President of the Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society)
2. Dr Parmjit Singh (President of the Penang Medical Practitioner’s Society)

Speakers:
1. Dr Ong Hean Teik
Topic: Medical facts for living with Covid-19
Dr Ong Hean Teik has been working as a physican and cardiologist in Penang since 1990. He has academic articles published in numerous international medical journals. He has spoken at public forums during the SARS and H1N1 outbreaks in Penang. He is editor of the PMPS annual magazine which focuses on Covid-19 this year.

2. Dr Chow Sze Loon
Topic: Roles of public health in the Covid-19 pandemic: the Penang experience
Dr. Chow Sze Loon served in Sabah after obtaining his medical degree. His involvement in the Flying Doctor Service, Mobile Clinic and visits to the Plantation Health Clinic around Tawau offered him rare and valuable insights into healthcare beyond the scope of the hospital. Upon completing his Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), he was posted as the Port Health Officer in Penang, developing and implementing the necessary core public health capacities at sea port and airport to limit the spread of public health risks. Until July 2020, Dr. Chow was heading the CPRC (Crisis Preparedness & Response Centre) which acts as the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre in Penang State Health Department carrying out the surveillance, preparedness and response activities on infectious diseases outbreak, crisis, disaster and emergency in the state. Currently, he is leading the Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) District Health Office based in Nibong Tebal as the District Health Officer.

3. Dr Chow Ting Soo
Topic: Personal protective measures in clinical practice
Dr Chow Ting Soo is currently a Consultant Physician and Infectious Disease Consultant at the Infectious Disease Unit of the Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. She is also the Penang State Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator since 2016. She received her medical degree from USM. She obtained a membership in the Royal College of Physicians, UK, then further sub-specialised in infectious diseases under the Ministry of Health Malaysia program. Dr Chow then went onto to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst in Sydney to the Infectious Diseases Unit and obtained training in Clinical Microbiology. She has been appointed as a committee member for the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan for the hospital, and at the state level. She has also participated in several clinical research trials for HIV treatments and antibiotics which has been published in international peer reviewed journals.

Moderator: Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director, Penang Institute

See you!

#DrWuLienTehSociety #PenangInstitute #LivingWithCOVID19

Featured, Post

WU LIEN-TEH & PUBLIC HEALTH: LESSONS FROM THE PAST FOR THE PRESENT

A collaborative webinar organized by Tech Dome Penang!

COVID-19 is a novel virus which has caused a worldwide pandemic the whole of 2020 and probably still for some time to come but ways to tackle and eventually overcome it may not be new.

We don’t need to look far for past successes when humankind has overcome past epidemics. Dr Wu Lien-Teh, a Penangite who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1935, is widely credited for eradicating the Manchurian Plague by employing methods which are not uncommon to us now; promoting the wearing of masks, isolating and quarantining patients and disinfecting buildings, among others.

In the current pandemic, we see varying levels of success for each nation in their battle against COVID-19. What are the more successful nations doing right as compared to less successful nations? How is it that those countries which were initially successful at containing the spread of the virus are now seeing a new and larger wave of infections? Everyone seems to be focused on the elusive vaccine. Is a vaccine the ultimate solution for us to tame COVID-19?

In this special episode of Science Stream, Dato’ (Dr) Anwar Fazal, Dr Hor Chee Peng and Dr Ong Hean Teik, members of The Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society will enlighten us about WU LIEN-TEH & PUBLIC HEALTH: LESSONS FROM THE PAST FOR THE PRESENT.

Get yourself register for the event at https://www.facebook.com/261533194033489/posts/1532411333612329/

#DrWuLienTeh #COVID19 #TechDomePenang

Featured, Post, Role of the Society during COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society & Malaysian Health Coalition

Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society Joining the Malaysian Health Coalition!

On 11 March 2020, our Society has officially joined the newly established Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC), as representative from the Civil Society Organization! Our President, Dato’ (Dr) Anwar Fazal has also joined as a renowned individual to support the apolitical coalition! We are proud to be part of the 42 members of professional societies and 16 individuals in advocating Health for All for our Rakyat (the people of Malaysia)!

Led by Dr Khor Swee Kheng, MHC was established on 1 March with its ultimate aims dedicated to improving the health of Malaysians, strengthening the Malaysian health system, and supporting Health for All policies.

With the recent evolving COVID-19 pandemic, we have joined the MHC in issuing few joint statements, as co-signatories, to call for united actions in strengthening our health services and system, and empowering our Rakyat to fight against virus!

The joint statements are:

A More Coherent Government Response (20 March 2020)

Public Health for Non-Citizens (24 March 2020)

Holistic Measures Against COVID-19 (28 March 2020) [Bahasa Kebangsaan]

Strengthening Health Expertise in Government Decisions (2 April 2020)

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to Fight COVID-19 (5 April 2020)

Ensuring Adequate Numbers of Health Professionals (8 April 2020)

Additional Measures during MCO Phase 3 (11 April 2020)

There will be more joint statements in the future, which can be accessed from the home page of Malaysian Health Coalition.

Role of the Society during COVID-19 Pandemic

Committee Members During Movement Control Order

What are we doing during Movement Control Order in Malaysia?

Today marks the 26th day of the Movement Control Order in Malaysia, to curb the epidemic. We have just learnt from the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday that it will now be extended to Phase III from 15 until 28 April.

Before the MCO implementation, our infectivity rate (R0) of COVID-19 was 3.55, meaning one person infected another 3.55 persons. Based on the current trend, by 14 April, we might reach the R0 of 0.9, which means one infected person will potentially infect 0.9 person. It is a good sign! When everyone stays at home, there are less infections and the infectivity goes down.

We know it is not easy to undergo movement restriction for a prolonged period of time and the impact for the socio-economic development is huge for the society. But we need to continue our efforts in curbing the pandemic. We ought to change our lifestyles, the way we do things and the perspectives we set in mind.

With this, our committee members share their message and what they do at home or work, playing our roles as part of the wider community. Together, we have to stay strong and have a good fight!

#StayHomeSavesLives #StayHomeChallenges #UnityAgainstCOVID19

#StayStrong

President and Founder

Dato’ (Dr) Anwar Fazal, an eminent health activist, intellect and thinker of all time! He continues to coordinate civil society works locally and internationally around this time.

https://www.facebook.com/wulientehpg/videos/485473692618637/

 
“Never Forget the Poor!” during this tough time.

Vice President

Ms Ooi Geok Ling, an energetic, charismatic lady! During MCO, her plants are given better care. She has also been doing Yoga using Zoom. She has been busy raising funds to get more personal protective equipment for frontliners, wherever there is shortage. How noble!

Vice President

Ms Alison Chong Nyuen Yin, great grandniece of Dr Wu Lien-Teh, an avid learner! Her dedication in mapping the family tree of Dr Wu yields success over the years. She is now planning a documentary on the Wu family.

Secretary-General

Dr Hor Chee Peng, a clinician, never cease to be inspired by Dr Wu since the first day he came across Dr Wu! Apart from being a frontliner, he helps to coordinate hospital preparedness against COVID-19.

“Stay Home, Stay Safe, Practise Social Distancing“

Assistant Secretary-General

Mdm Ong Siou Woon, a superb working mum! For her, it is the “best time to bond with your child now that you are stuck 24/7 together“. She gets to upgrade her cooking skills and experience new menu. A simple luncheon, yet brings happiness and good health to family.

“Staying at home positively is more important than ever. Find meaningful things to do and you’ll enjoy the time you spent at home during MCO”

Honorary Treasurer

Mr Clement Liang Chow Ming, a historian passionate about Penang history! He used to be busy traveling around giving lectures internationally and leading tour groups. Now, he has time “Tending to my private Zen garden“. How nice!

https://www.facebook.com/wulientehpg/videos/1395214740819308/

“Learning from Dr Wu Lien-Teh: Self isolation to save lives!”

Committee Member

Mr Khoo Soo Hay, the senior most and founding member of the Committee! He wrote a beautiful poem on Dr Wu’s life journey, entitled “The Plague Fighter – A Brief Retrospect”.

When he was asked to give a piece of advice or message to reader of this website, look at his cheeky yet pragmatic response:
I am not a minister to give announcements my dear friend. However, for everyone’s sake, avoid unnecessary social and public contact during the MCO restrictions. Best to stay home with loved family members and pets!

Committee Member

Mr Quah Seng Sun, a prolific writer, an intellect and a historian! He owns a personal blog and writes anything under the sun.

On the 30th March, “What else but watch a documentary on Dr Wu Lien-Teh during the Movement Control Order?” from Astro.

Committee Member

Mr Ronald Quay Ong Guan, strong supporter from Kuala Lumpur! He travels up frequently to attend meetings, and gives inspiring lectures to first year medical students in Malaya University on Dr Wu.

“Busy over nothing at home! But we convey our ribuan terima kasih to all our doctors, nurses and every medical personnel for their fantastic sacrifice to look after our fellow Malaysians who are afflicted by this deadly virus. Take care”

Committee Member

Mr Cheah Cheng Chua, a long-standing supporter for the Society, doing his works from home.

“Hope the COVID-19 will be curtailed soon and everyone is safe!”

Internal Auditor

Ms Chin Poh Chin, an avid volunteer who offers herself for good deeds! She was “lining up at Tesco carpark to replenish my food stock on Day-14 of MCO“. She also joined the Malaysian Dental Association (Northern Branch) to make face shields for frontliners in Penang General Hospital. Salute!

“Don’t Lose Hope, Stay Stronger!”

Featured

The Dr Wu Lien-Teh 5th Annual Public Lecture

The 5th Dr Wu Lien-Teh Annual Public Lecture was held amidst the novel coronavirus pandemic on 15th March 2020, and three days before the National Movement Control Order came into effect! Out of the 82 registrations, 49 (including the organizing committee) attended the public lecture at Penang Institute. All sat sparingly in a hall with 150 seats adhering to social distancing and using hand sanitizers readily available within the venue compound. Some wore masks and persons with symptoms were discouraged to attend the lecture. The lecture was broadcast live via Facebook page of Penang Institute, and attended by 10 viewers. Light refreshments were cancelled too!

Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, a renowned health activist, Consultant Respiratory Physician and former Member of Parliament, was our invited speaker this year, on “Health for All: Challenges and Opportunities”. He spoke passionately on the challenges and shared his perspectives through the proposed solutions and opportunities emerging from the present society and younger generations. There were 5 challenges identified: (1) inadequate health budget allocation, (2) naive belief in market-based solutions for health financing, (3) misdirection by World Bank on health financing, (4) failure to identify the real issues fueling disparity in wealth distribution, and (5) failure of progressives to present a believable alternative for common good.

For those who are interested to view the recorded lecture, please visit the Facebook page.

We thank the Penang Institute to co-organize this public lecture together with the Society.

The reporting of the Annual Public Lecture was covered by local Chinese Newspapers Sin Chew Daily and Guang Ming Daily.

Registration counter at the lobby entrance of Penang Institute
Dato’ (Dr) Anwar Fazal receiving a guest attendee, upon arrival of the speaker, Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, together with Dato’ Sri Devaraj
Sales of “Plague Fighter” the autobiography by Dr Wu Lien-Teh and “Memories of Dr Wu Lien-Teh: Plague Fighter” by her daughter, Professor Wu Yu-Lin, at the registration counter
Dato’ (Dr) Anwar Fazal moderating the Q&A session after the lecture
Dato’ (Dr) Anwar Fazal presented the two books re-printed by the Society, as tokens of appreciation to Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj as speaker for 2020 Dr Wu Lien-Teh Annual Public Lecture
Featured, Post

Silent Battle: Modern Epidemics and Legacy of Dr Wu Lien-Teh

A public seminar organised by the Centre for Chinese Studies and World History Club, Tunku Abdul Rahman University (UTAR) on 7th March 2020, Heritage Hall, UTAR.

Dr Henry Chong Ren Jie （庄仁杰博士） from Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies gave a succinct history account on Dr Wu Lien Teh (伍连德：医生与社会) in Chinese language for the morning session, while Dr Hor Chee Peng from the Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society, Penang delivered a talk on Dr Wu’s legacy and life journey (Dr Wu Lien-Teh: Plague Fighter! When the West met the East!) in English Language for the afternoon session!

The crowd also received a brief updates on the current COVID19 epidemic, individual and community prevention! No hand shake! Hand hygiene! Cough etiquette! Don’t panic! Don’t spread fake news! And of course, some reflections on how Dr Wu’s effort in combating plague more than 110 years ago in Northern Manchurian became relevant for modern epidemics!

Group photos with organizers, speakers and attendees
Dr Hor Chee Peng delivers his talk to the crowd
Group photo with the organizer
(Left to Right: Assistant Professor Dr Toh Teong Chuan, Mr Vincent Zyn Lan, Dr Hor Chee Peng, Assistant Professor Dr Tan Ai Boey and Mr Vincent)
Public with concerns and queries on COVID19 can contact Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre, Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
No panic! No fake news!
The new way to greet and say hello, replacing the conventional handshaking!

Uncategorized

扬名世界的槟城人-鼠疫斗士伍连德

“谁是伍连德？他是槟城首位杰出的华人医生，肩负医者的使 命，以大医精神，造福百姓；他也是马来亚华侨享誉国际医学认 可的第一人，国际认可的鼠疫斗士，东方现代医学界的翘楚；他更 是社会改革份子，展现他对马来亚社会的关怀与实践。近年来， 伍连德的贡献及其大医学的思想再度被世人提起，以激发我们 学习其无私无畏的精神和毅力。”

2019年第七期的嘉庚会讯向槟城伍连德约会邀稿，由学会秘书长何志平医生撰文，并有嘉庚会讯总编辑校稿，后出版。

嘉庚会讯电子档链接处(第28-31页）： https://issuu.com/tkkfoundation/docs/______7______

Featured, Post, Uncategorized

Celebrating Dr Wu Lien-Teh’s 140th Birthday: Tea Party at Penang Institute

                   

10th March 2019 marked the 140th birthday anniversary for Dr Wu Lien-Teh, the eminent son of Penang! The Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society, Penang led by Dato’ (Dr) Anwar Fazal, organized a casual tea party with members and friends of the Society at Penang Institute. Dr Wu’s bronze stature has been relocated to the Wu Lien-Teh corner in Penang Institute, with a hut built from recycled materials. It was a great afternoon gathering among friends, exchanging ideas and plans for future activities in promoting this legendary figure! While his scientific contribution were overwhelming, much of his works for social justice requires attention and revitalization!