Dr. Hj Zainul Abidin @ Abdul Zainoor Bin Md Hussain has been honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia (AOEMM) at the 18th AOEMM Annual General Meeting at DoubleTree by Hilton in Kuala Lumpur on the 10th of August 2024. This accolade recognises his extensive contributions to the field of occupational medicine in Malaysia, marking him as a pivotal figure in advancing occupational safety and health (OSH) standards and practices.
Professional Journey and Achievements
Dr. Zainul’s career spans several decades, during which he has made significant impacts across various sectors related to occupational safety and health. His professional journey began after earning his medical degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1979, followed by a Master’s in Occupational Medicine from the National University of Singapore in 1986. He is also a Certified Independent Medical Examiner (CIME) from the USA and holds certifications related to medical rehabilitation.
He started his medical career in 1979 as houseman in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. He has worked at various capacity at Hospital Kuala Kubu Baru, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Institute of Public Health, and Jerantut, Sabak Bernam, and Gombak District Health Offices. He was the Head of the Occupational and Environmental Unit, Public Health Division from 1996-1997 before he was seconded to Head the Occupational Health Unit at the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Ministry of Human Resources in 1998 until his official retirement in 2004.
Key Contributions to Occupational Health
Development of Guidelines on Medical Surveillance:
One of Dr. Zainul’s most significant achievements was the development of the Guidelines on Medical Surveillance in 2000. This document has served as a foundational reference, often referred to as the “bible” for Occupational Health Doctors (OHD) in Malaysia. It provided comprehensive guidance on implementing medical surveillance programs under the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standard of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) Regulations. The guidelines were instrumental in standardising practices across various industries and were updated to a second edition in 2023, reflecting their enduring impact.
Guidelines for Occupational Diseases and Health Services:
Dr. Zainul played a pivotal role in developing various guidelines for diagnosing occupational diseases, including noise-induced hearing loss and pesticide poisoning while he was still in Ministry of Health Malaysia. These guidelines popularly known as “WEHU” have been crucial in setting diagnostic criteria of occupational diseases. It was used extensively by doctors serving the Ministry of Health. Additionally, he contributed to the Guidelines on Occupational Health Services in 2005, which aimed to protect workers’ health and improve working conditions.
White Paper on Placement of Medical Professionals in DOSH Offices:
Dr. Zainul was instrumental in developing a white paper that advocated for placing doctors and nurses in state Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) offices across Malaysia. Before this initiative, he was the sole doctor within DOSH. This strategic move facilitated the secondment of doctors and nurses from the Ministry of Health. It became the springboard for many doctors who later advanced to roles as university lecturers and occupational health consultants in multinational companies such as PETRONAS, Shell, BP, and BASF
Continued Influence Post-Retirement
After retiring from public service in 2004, Dr. Zainul continued his contributions during his tenure with the Social Security Organization (SOCSO). He was involved in drafting amendments to compensable occupational diseases lists and developing guidelines for diagnosing occupational diseases. These efforts have been vital in ensuring comprehensive notification systems for occupational diseases, thus enhancing workplace safety measures
Legacy and Impact
Dr. Zainul’s work reflects his deep commitment to advancing occupational health standards and his passion for worker health. Despite his humility and reluctance to boast about his achievements, his contributions have left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit Malaysia’s workforce today. His dedication serves as an inspiration for future generations in occupational medicine.
Article written by Dr Victor C W Hoe, AOEMM Council Member.