JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2022 | THE HEALTH

SURIAGHANDI SUPPIAH has been named the new Chief Operating Officer of KPJ Healthcare Bhd . Suriaghandi succeeds Nik Zainon Yussoff , who is stepping down to pursue other opportunities .

“ Suriaghandi is a proven leader with over 24 years ’ experience in various aspects of business operations and proven expertise in investments , energy , healthcare , asset management and property with an emphasis on strategy , business turnaround and expansion which will benefit the company in our next phase of product and expansion , innovation and growth ,” said KPJ Healthcare President and Managing Director Ahmad Shahizam Mohd Shariff in a statement .

Suriaghandi previously served as the company ’ s Chief Transformation Officer ,

A PENANGITE has made the country proud after being named Professor of Global Health by Oxford .

On Dec 7 , 2021 , the varsity ’ s Vice- Chancellor , Prof Louise Richardson , bestowed the title on Dr Cheah Phaik Yeong , 47 .

She will lead research on population health in the global context as a professor of global health .

“ Improving health and wellbeing , as well as health equity for all people worldwide ,” she explained , is a top priority for global health research .

Prof Cheah now heads the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit ’ s Bioethics and Engagement Department in Bangkok , Thailand .

“ My advice to young women , including Malaysians – work hard and dream big ; don ’ t let being a woman or being Malaysian or anything stand in the way ,” she said . overseeing the company ’ s ongoing transformation , including its digitalisation roadmap .

Before joining KPJ Healthcare , he served as COO of Parkway Laboratory Services , a division of Parkway Group Healthcare , and as the Deputy General Manager of Pantai Holdings Bhd ’ s Hospital Operations .

Suriaghandi has worked with Khazanah National , Pantai Holdings Berhad , Parkway Group Healthcare Pte Ltd , Savills and Salcon Green Energy ( UK ), KPMG and Pulau Indah Ventures , among others , in Malaysia , Asia Pacific , and Europe .

Suriaghandi graduated from Monash University in Australia with a Bachelor of Business ( Accounting ) and the University of Chicago Booth School Of Business in Chicago with a Master of

She is currently working on several research projects and recently completed an international study on Covid-19 .

This research paper , titled “ Economic and social impacts of Covid-19 and public health measures : Results from an anonymous online survey in Thailand , Malaysia , the United Kingdom , Italy , and Slovenia ”, can now be read online .

Prof Cheah expressed her

Business Administration .

He ’ s also a graduate of Harvard Business School ’ s Asean Senior Management Development Program and Stanford School ’ s Genovasi-organised Design Thinking School .

He is also a Malaysian field hockey player , representing Malaysia at the 1992 Olympics .

concern about the cost of Covid-19 prevention measures to humanity , both economically and socially .

“ The pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities . The world can only overcome it if we take this into account .

“ Covid-19 and public health measures have uneven economic and social impact on people from different countries and social groups ,” she explained .

She emphasised that governments must be aware of these effects to mitigate their negative consequences in future public health interventions .

She stated that the world as a whole must show solidarity with communities that are struggling , such as those in poorer countries without access to vaccines , marginalised groups , those who are unable to work from home , and those who live in overcrowding and have underlying medical issues .

THE PUBLIC Relations and Communication Association ’ s ( PRCA ) Malaysia PR Awards ( MPRA ) returned in 2021 after a nearly twoyear hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic , with a bigger lineup , more entry categories , a larger judging panel , and stronger integration with leading businesses through attractive sponsorship packages .

The PRCA Malaysia Leadership Award went to Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah for his team ’ s hard work in effectively containing the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia .

The award recognises and honours an exemplary and proactive role in Covid-19 communications , according to a statement released by PRCA Malaysia .

According to PRCA Malaysia President Andy See Teong Leng , Dr Noor Hisham ’ s calm demeanour , consistent public updates , interviews , and long hours reflected dedication , commitment , sacrifice , and resilience in providing the best service for the people and country in the face of the pandemic .

“ For all his achievements as one of the key personalities in steering the nation , communicating to the public timely and effectively while holding our flag high in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic , PRCA Malaysia is proud to name Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham as the recipient of the PRCA Malaysia Leadership Award 2021 ,” he said .

In recognition of the frontliner ’ s dedication to continuing to devote their time , effort , and resources to contain the pandemic , MPRA held an eight-course dinner for 30 frontline workers to show support for their dedication and unwavering efforts managing Covid-19 .

PRCA Malaysia was established in 1999 as a formal association of public relations and communications consultants and in-house professionals in Malaysia .

DR MAHANI NORDIN , the Terengganu Health Department ’ s senior principal assistant director ( HIV / Sexually Transmitted Patient Management / Hepatitis C ), received the Sunway- Malaysia AIDS Foundation ( MAF ) Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award 2021 at the Red Ribbon Gala in Kuala Lumpur on Friday , Dec 10 , 2021 .

The award included an RM20,000 cash prize , a trophy , and a certificate of appreciation for her work in the HIV community . She is the first from Terengganu to receive this honour .

Her involvement in the charity work began because she was moved by the plight of this group of people who had been “ cast away ” by their families after receiving treatment at the hospital .

“ As someone who helped treat them while in hospital , I dreamed of providing a shelter for them . At that time , however , most HIV and AIDS patients in Terengganu had to be sent for treatment to shelters around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor ,” she said .

Dr Mahani was prompted to set up Komuniti Cakna Terengganu ( KCT ), a community-based organisation dedicated to raising community awareness and providing treatment , care , and support to this group .

She met with several heads of government departments and agencies to secure funding for the shelter . In 2010 , she collaborated with the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council ( MAIDAM ) to open Baitul Cakna in Ajil , Hulu

Terengganu . The Baitul Cakna shelter , which started with four drug addicts , proves Dr Mahani ’ s commitment to the group . The shelter was built on an acre of her own land with no fees charged to the residents MAIDAM and some concerned parties covered the expenses .

“ To cover costs , I also worked with the Agriculture Department to guide them in planting sweet potatoes , vegetables and other cash crops . “ Besides that , I also got the cooperation of the Royal Malaysia Police and the National Anti-Drug Agency ( AADK ), who were willing to monitor and organise various programmes with the residents at the shelter ,” she said .

Dr Mahani recently assisted the state government in rehabilitating former drug addicts through the Darul Barokah special village project in Marang , equipped with houses and several small and medium-scale economic projects to assist them . — The Health