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.
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
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!
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!
In collaboration with the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) Network from the Ministry of Health, the inaugural Dr Wu Lien-Teh Research Awards were established and incorporated into the annual National Conference for Clinical Research in 2015. This initiative is to honour Dr. Wu’s work and to inspire the new and future generations to conduct research matters to mankind. The awards worth a total of RM 2350.00 annually and will continue for five years. There are two components to the Awards, the Young Investigators Award and the Research Poster Award.
Venue: Penang Institute, 10, Jalan Brown, 10350 George Town, Penang Institute
15.30pm
Registration of participants and speakers
15.45pm
Arrival of distinguished guests
16.00pm
Welcome by Dato’ (Dr.) Anwar Fazal, President of the Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Society
16.10pm
Speech by Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng, Director of the Penang Institute
16.20pm
The 4th Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Memorial Lecture on “Virology in the Jungle: Pay Attention to What Matters to Local Communities” by Professor Mary Jane Cardosa, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Sentinext TherapeuticsModerator: Dr. Hor Chee Peng, Secretary-General, Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Society
17.30pm
Closing remarks by Dato’ (Dr.) Anwar Fazal, President of the Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Society
The Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Commemorative Global Symposium 23 & 24 July, 2016
Speech by Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng
At The Opening Ceremony of the Dr Wu Lien-Teh Commemorative Global Symposium on 23rd July 2016
http://cm.penang.gov.my/index.php/darimejaketuamenteri/1930-opening-ceremony-of-the-dr-wu-lien-teh-commemorative-global-symposium
Penang is proud to be the home state of numerous historical greats of the country, namely P Ramlee, Malaysia’s greatest filmmaker, Loh Boon Siew, the pioneer in the automotive industry in Malaysia, Yeap Chor Ee, the banking magnate and last but not least, Dr Wu Lien-Teh, the internationally acclaimed doctor and plague fighter.
Ladies and gentleman,
Dr Wu Lien-Teh was a highly respected epidemiologist and doctor. His unyielding passion and determination as doctor together with strong perseverance have remained an inspiration for generations. His life story and heroic achievement had made all of us proud.
During his early career in Penang in early 1900’s, he was an enthusiastic activist in a myriad of contemporary social issues, ranging from advocating elementary education for girls, forming debating and literary clubs, to writing articles in newspaper calling for abolition of gambling and spirit farms. He established the Anti-Opium Association in Penang and organized the first Anti-Opium Conference in Straits Settlement to advocate banning of opium trade at times.
He was later invited to China, where he fought a challenging battle of the Machurian plague. His formulation of public health policies and institution of control measures were met with violent resistance. These measures were compulsory hospitalization of plague victims, contacts isolation, homes disinfection and people were encouraged to wear the “Dr Wu’s mask” which were uncommon practice at times in China.
He also conducted the first ever mass cremation of corpses in Chinese history which strongly against the tenets of Confucianism that venerated filial piety and ancestor worship in the past. This had led to not only saving thousands of lives by halting the epidemics.
Becoming world-famous for his outstanding achievement had never affected his innate modesty. He returned to Malaya during the turbulence time of Second World War, and continued to practice medicine in Ipoh until the ripe age of 80, before retiring in Penang.
The Dr Wu Lien-The Society was initiated in 2012 as a result of a Penang Story Lecture on Dr Wu which was organized by Think City, Penang Heritage Trust and the Old Frees Association. Led by the Founding President, Dato’ Anwar Fazal, together with support from representatives from the Old Frees Association, Penang Medical College, Harbin Medical University, Penang Institute, Penang Heritage Trust, as well as Think City and Penang Global Tourism, this initiative aims to promote this Penang-born legendary figure and to inspire the present and future generations. Since its inception, the Society has now grown its network to include several reputable institutions namely, the Malaysian National Clinical Research Centre Networks, United Nation University- International Institute for Global Health and the newly established Wu Lien-Teh Institute in Harbin, China.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The State government has been keen to support initiatives of the Society since the first Commemorative Symposium in 2014 through this 2nd Commemorative Global Symposium at Penang Institute, and the dinner tonight at the St Giles Wembley Hotel.
I am pleased to be here to witness the ceremony of signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Society and United Nations University, International Institute for Global Health. The MOU addresses collaborative joint hosting of an annual public lecture on topic of contemporary global health importance, named as “The Dr Wu Lien-Teh Lecture”, from selecting a distinguished speaker to organizing the event. Additionally, both parties may collaborate on other initiatives related to global health importance.
It is also my pleasure to launch the first reprint of 1000 copies of the pictorial book of “Memories of Dr Wu Lien-Teh, Plague Fighter” in Penang by local publisher, Areca Books. The first edition was printed in Singapore in 1995 and out of stock. This current project received generous funding supports from Dato’ Cheah Cheng Hye, a Penang-born successful entrepreneur in Hong Kong, together with supports from the Dr Wu’s families and the Society.
The relocation and placement of Dr Wu Lien-Teh bust at Penang Institute signifies the recognition by the State Government for Dr Wu’s altruism and extra-ordinary contributions in making a difference for all.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, we are all here together to celebrate and honour the life of a Penang-born medical scientist who set the standard for generations of doctors to follow, and who nearly brought back a prestigious Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. It is great to see a reunion of more than 30 of the family members attending this event, including the 93-year old granddaugther, Madame Tai Ai Luen. I am very confident that Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society will continue to promote the legacy of this Penang-born iconic legend. I am proud to announce the opening of the Dr Wu Lien-Teh Commemorative Global Symposium and wish you a fruitful meeting among all of you.
Wu Family Reunion in Penang 2016
visit to Dr. Wu Lien Teh’s Parents tombs at Mt. Erskine
State Dinner at St. Giles Wembley Hotel
For more details of the symposium, here is the link to the file:
Dr. Wu Lien-Teh and China’s First Medical Research Institute: The North Manchurian Plague Prevention Service, 1912–1931 Commemorating the international medical legacy of Penang-born Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Time & Date: 4pm, Sunday, 1 June 2014 Venue: Penang Heritage Trust, 26 Lebuh Gereja (Church Street) Speaker: David Luesink, Ph.D. (University of British Columbia) Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Pittsburgh Co-organised by Penang Heritage Trust and Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Society Supported by Penang Medical College and Ren i Tang Abstract The north Manchurian plague of 1910 to 1911 is one of modern China’s most well-known medical events. Extensively celebrated in Chinese and English popular and scholarly literature, Wu Lien-teh and his small team of scientists effectively protected Qing (1910–1911) and Republican Chinese sovereignty at a time when China was extremely weak internationally. But protecting sovereignty with medical science does not constitute the whole story, nor should the story end in 1911. After successfully stopping plague in North China, Wu Lien-teh hosted an international conference in Harbin, which had been the epicenter of the plague, to demonstrate his success to leading bacteriologists from all imperialist powers with an interest in commerce, sovereignty, and the spread of disease in Northeast Asia, including Russia, Japan, Britain, France and the United States. Consolidating the growing international prestige of the plague research in Harbin, Wu Lien-teh established China’s first medical research institute. At a time when medical research institutes of this type were relatively new, this institute conducted important, if controversial, research on plague and its vectors of infection. This presentation will refocus attention away from the headlines of 1910–1911 and onto the daily work of scientists and some of the controversies they solved and created over several decades. About the speaker David Luesink is visiting assistant Professor in East Asian History at the University of Pittsburgh. He was awarded a Luce Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship at Indiana University in Indianapolis, and before that obtained his PhD from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. As a History Department doctoral student David Luesink was awarded two prizes for 2009–2010, namely, the Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation Dissertation Fellowship administered by the Canadian Association of Asian Studies; and the Academia Sinica (Taipei, Taiwan) Pre-Dissertation Fellowship, Institute for Modern History. He is the author of a chapter published in an edited volume: ‘The History of Chinese Medicine: Empires, Transnationalism and Medicine in China, 1908–1937,’ in Iris Borowy, Uneasy Encounters: The Politics of Medicine and Health in China 1900–1937 (Frankfurt, New York, Oxford: Peter Lang, 2009), 149–176. Limited spaces available, to RSVP, please email to info@pht.org.my or wulientehsociety@gmail.com
伍连德国际研讨会暨展览
Plaque Fighter Dr Wu Lien-teh
International Conference and Exhibition.Conference in English and Chinese.Date: Apr 5, 2014 Saturday
Time: 9am to 6pm
Venue: Level 2, Ballroom,
Chui Huay Lim Club.醉花林俱乐部
。No 190 Keng Lee RoadWeek-Long Exhibition
Date:Saturday 5 to Saturday 12 April 2014
Time: 10am-6pm
Venue: Level 4, Chui Huay Lim Club
No 190 Keng Lee Road.
Celebrating the life of the man who brought modern medical care to China, who fought the Manchurian plague, and who set the standard for generations of doctors to follow…………………..伍连德博士: 斗疫防治，国士无双
