21-22 September 2024: the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia (AOEMM) hosted a dynamic two-day Medical Surveillance Workshop at DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur. Themed “Next-Gen Occupational Health: Navigating Malaysia’s Updated Guidelines on Medical Surveillance at the Workplace 2023,” the workshop provided an engaging platform for occupational health professionals to explore the latest regulations. Led by Prof Dr Retneswari Masilamani and Dr Sathya Subramaniam, the event was a valuable opportunity for professionals to gain fresh insights into the field.
The workshop attracted 39 Occupational Health Practitioners, including doctors, nurses, and a Safety and Health Officer, with participants travelling from as far as Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu. A WhatsApp group facilitated real-time discussions and networking throughout the weekend, while a QR code-enabled Google Form allowed participants to submit questions for Day 2’s forum, enhancing engagement and interaction.
Day 1 featured practical insights into the new guidelines, with Dr Yasriza Yahya breaking them down, followed by a session on medical surveillance principles led by Dr Lim Yin Cheng. Dr Abed Onn’s talk on the ethics of medical surveillance set the tone for deeper discussions, while Dr Sathya Subramaniam provided guidance on medical surveillance reporting, keeping participants actively engaged through interactive sessions.
On Day 2, the focus shifted to technical discussions, starting with a session on Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) by Puan Noormahani Harun and followed by Dr Soh Yih Harng’s explanation of CHRA report interpretation. Real-world case studies where shared and discussed, covering topics such as Aluminosis (Dr Marzuki Isahak, AOEMM Council Member), Benzene (Dr Lim Yin Cheng), Organophosphate Exposure (Dr Abu Hasan Samad, AOEMM President), Toluene (Dr Jaseema Begum Nazir Khan, Petronas) Lead Exposure (Dr Anza Elias, AOEMM Council Member), and Post-Chemical Incident Human Biomonitoring (Dr Jeff Bahrin, BASF). These case studies highlighted the challenges and solutions in medical surveillance, making it a standout segment of the workshop.
The final session featured Dr Rajinderjit Singh Hullon from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Putrajaya, who detailed the legal requirements of medical surveillance. The much-anticipated open forum, moderated by Prof Dr Retneswari, allowed participants to engage with experts in an insightful discussion, fostering a collaborative and reflective atmosphere.
Participants gave overwhelmingly positive feedback, praising the relevant topics, practical case studies, and expert engagement. AOEMM Council Members’ active involvement was well-received, reinforcing a sense of professional solidarity. Looking ahead, AOEMM plans to organise a similar workshop next year in Kuala Lumpur, with additional events slated for East Malaysia.
Article written by Dr Sathya Subramaniam, AOEMM Hon. Secretary and Prof Dr Retneswari Masilamani, AOEMM Council Member.