JOHOR BAHRU – The healthcare services are in need of more advanced rehabilitation interventions such as robotics, brain stimulation and neuro-feedback to provide effective solutions.

We need to utilize every physical function, strengthen incapacitated structures, enhance interaction of systems to bring forth synchronized and optimal function of the human body.

Dr. Sharon Anne Khor Keat Sim, who is the organizing chairman of the 14th Annual Malaysian Rehabilitation Medicine Conference made this remark in her welcome address.

Held at the KSL Hotel & Resort, from Sept 20 – 22, the conference themed “Exploring New Horizons in Restorative Rehabilitation” was officiated by Johor Health Director Dr. Mohtar Pungut and attended by some 400 medical practitioners, consultants, specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, physicians, surgeons, neurologists, industrial partners and a number of overseas participants.

Dr. Sharon said the conference seeks to explore new horizons in rehabilitation that can be applied regardless of the patients’ age.

A total of 4 workshops and 109 research papers were presented at the conference which includes 8 plenaries and 16 symposia.

Continuing further she said, “We are all aware that chronic diseases lead to significant mortality and morbidity.

In the rehabilitation fraternity, we are managing patients who survive chronic diseases for long periods, while enduring physical and psychosocial impairments.”

She pointed out that the aim is to restore optimal quality of life for the patients.

Dr. Sharon, who is also the Johor rehabilitation head expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Health, Johor State Health Department and the Malaysian Association of Rehabilitation Physicians for their unwavering support for the conference.

“We also appreciate all our industrial partners for bringing in cutting-edge rehabilitation technology that can accelerate our progress,” she said.

She extended her gratitude to their mentors who have steered this fraternity to where it is today because they have set up the frameworks to promote sustainable development for rehabilitation medicine services in Malaysia.

In his opening speech, Johor Health Director Dr. Mohtar Pungut said the theme of today’s conference highlights the importance of utilizing new technology in rehabilitation to restore function of people who have physical disabilities.

He noted that rehabilitation medicine is a field that is growing rapidly and requires coordinated teamwork.

He called on all healthcare professionals to work together to improve the management of people who have physical impairments to achieve better patients-centred outcomes.

He stressed that learning together in this conference will maximize the expertise of different healthcare providers and strengthen the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team.

He urged the delegates to utilize this opportunity to network, learn and update themselves with the latest in rehabilitation management.
“Share your scientific ideas in the field of brain injury, spinal, musculoskeletal, pediatric and cancer rehabilitation,” he said.

Speaking on “The Future of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine” (PRM), National Head of Rehabilitation Medicine Services, Ministry of Health Dr. Yusniza Mohd Yusof emphasized that rehabilitation aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to people with physical impairments or disabilities.

She said the theme for the conference is timely as training the future generation of rehabilitation practitioners is in line with the goals of the Ministry of Health to ensure that all Malaysians can live long and healthy lives.

“As the national head of Rehabilitation Medicine Services I am proud to see the fruition of a whole year of planning by the Johor Rehabilitation team together with the Malaysian Association of Rehabilitation Physicians (MARP),” she said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Rehabilitation Physicians (MARP) president Associate Professor Dr. Fazah Akhtar Hanapiah in her address said the theme of the conference reflects on MARP’s aspiration to push the boundaries of the practice of rehabilitation in Malaysia.

She said the conference is an exceptional gathering of minds and the esteemed panel has delved into a wide range of topics including pain management and the art of rehabilitation.

She hoped that the conference participants were able to exchange ideas, present research findings, share knowledge, networking and foster collaborations to advance the field of rehabilitation medicine in Malaysia.

Dr. Sharon said some of the delegates at the conference had the opportunity to visit IHT Rehab Centre in Gelang Patah, to attend an ultrasound guided botulinum toxin injection workshop.

IHT rehab is the first private rehabilitation centre in Johor that is fully equipped with both robotic equipment and hydrotherapy pool.
She said that persons with disabilities (PWD) are their most important partners in rehabilitation.

“We are inspired by their resilience in the face of adversity,” she iterated.

Many inventions by healthcare providers, neuroscientists and engineers in the field of rehabilitation such as prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs are advanced through repeated testing by PWD.

She added, “This inter-disciplinary teamwork is invaluable and should be promoted to create sustainable development for our future.”

Dr. Phua Chui Har, head of rehabilitation medicine department at Hospital Sultanah Aminah in her closing address thanked everyone for their presence and participation. This was followed by the passing of baton to the Sabah rehabilitation team.