Deliberating the healthcare industry

MALAYSIA is working its way to becoming a developed country. In its endeavour, a key economic area in focus is the healthcare industry.
MARKET DEMAND
Tremendous growth has been observed in this area, especially in private healthcare services. Having observed the growing demand, the government has, in various ways, been encouraging investments in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, medical devices, clinical research and aged-care services. According to research and forecasts, it is expected that Malaysia will require 77,000 allied health professionals by 2020, with the numbers doubling to 150,000 professionals by 2030.
Looking at current numbers in the field, an estimation of only 53,000 students are expected to be trained and available. Recent reports have also highlighted a shortage of speech therapists and emergency medicine physicians, among other health-related designations.
SEMINAR INSIGHTS
At British Council Malaysia’s Subject and Careers Seminar, some of these issues and relevant industry-related matters will be highlighted. Two representatives from the United Kingdom and a Malaysian practitioner from a local hospital will be delivering talks on Allied and Health Sciences. These professionals will share insights and give advice on the right study pathways those interested in building a career in the healthcare industry should take. The panel of speakers include Dr Peter Klappa from the University of Kent, Prof Anand Pandyan of Keele University and Stephanie Loo of Sunway Medical Centre.
SPEAKERS AND TOPICS
Klappa will discuss recent discoveries in the field of biosciences and how it will impact future lives in his segment called “Technology in Biosciences”. He will also take on other topics such as the implications of research into ageing and extending human life span, and explore the ethical impact of genetic manipulation of human embryos.
In “Physiotherapy in the UK”, Anand will address three broad, common questions on tapping into the industry – why a UK qualification will help aspiring physiotherapists serve a global health community; how to train aspiring students to become world leading physiotherapists; and what criteria are needed to gain entry to read a degree in physiotherapy.
As the sole Malaysian practitioner during the seminar, Loo will deliver insights from her experience as a practitioner in the field of radiotherapy. Her areas of interest include improvements on radiotherapy treatment accuracy, patient immobilisation and set-up, the journey of patient care, radio-biology and its clinical applications. As Sunway Medical Centre’s senior radiation therapist, Loo has had a hand in the establishment of the Cancer, Radiosurgery and Nuclear Medicine Department.
She has spoken on both national and international platforms, most recently at the Asia-Australasia Conference for Radiation Technologists in Hong Kong on the topic – “Direct monitoring of intraprostatic motion via Intrafraction Motion Management for Prostate hypofractionated VMAT irradiation: First Clinical Results in Malaysia”.
REGISTER TO ATTEND
The Subject and Careers Seminar – Allied and Health Sciences will be held on Saturday, Aug 26 at the Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur from 2pm to 5pm. Admission is free and open to all interested parties. For more information and to attend, register online at www.britishcouncil.my/subject-and-careers-seminars