52nd MOA Annual Scientific Meeting launch ceremony
By V. Sivaji
A record number of over 2,000 delegates, participants and industry players gathered at the Malaysian Orthopaedic Association’s 52nd MOA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre here.
Other than local delegates, delegates from 17 countries from the Asian Region, Korea and the United Kingdom also made their presence.
The theme for this year is “Enhancing Recovery in Orthopaedic Surgery”. As the oldest and largest fraternity of orthopaedic surgeons in Malaysia, MOA presently has some 700 members.
A total of 65 speakers from around the world presented on various topics within the field. The gathering also saw 72 new orthopaedic surgeons being inducted into the MOA.
Prof Dr Tunku Kamarul presenting a momento to Prof Dr Ellewellyn
MOA president, Prof Dr Tunku Kamarul Zaman highlighted the growth demand for orthopedic services due to the ageing population in Malaysia.
“In Malaysia, some 30.8% of those above 55-years of age are susceptible to arthritis, ” said Prof Dr Tunku Kamarul.
“I would also like to thank the industry partners and Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) for their kind support in making this gathering a successful meet.
Meanwhile, organising chairman Prof Datuk Dr Sabarul Afian Mokhtar thanked delegates and the speakers for their time and presence.
Also present was PCEB chief executive officer, Ashwin Gunasekeran along with in-coming MOA president Prof Dr Tunku Muzaffar Tunku Md Shibabudin, Prof Dr Ellewellyn G. Pasion , president of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association, Dr Zairul Anuar Kamarul Bahrin, local organising chair and head of Orthopaedic Services of Penang Hospital among others.
In line with their commitment to achieve higher Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the conference embarked on several initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of the conference and promote the 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) principle.
Even the lanyards were made from recycled plastic mineral water bottles and they also adopted digital solutions.
They also partnered Kloth Woman Up, a brand supporting women from the B40 household income group in Selangor.
Yesterday, they also raised RM20,000 towards the Arthritis Foundation Malaysia (AFM) via their round the island cycling event.
Speaking to reporters in the press conference, Prof Dr Kamarul also advised members of the public not to over indulge in their food intake as it will lead to orthopaedic problems.
Ashwin also shared that the conference will bring RM8.2 million in economic impact for the state.
