JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2023 | THE HEALTH

THE use of regional anaesthesia , a medical procedure where drugs are used to specifically numb or block the sensation of pain in a patient ’ s specific area of the body , was pioneered by Datuk Dr T . Sachithanandan , one of the first Malaysians to qualify as an anaesthetist .

The procedure , which was developed in Germany 60 years earlier , enabled surgeons to carry out operations while the patient is fully conscious but pain-free . Numerous lives have been saved as a result of Dr Sachi ’ s ( as he was fondly called ) work , and his contributions also made it possible for many specialists to receive local training .

His son , Dr Anand Sachithanandan , a cardiothoracic surgeon , has compiled his father ’ s life ’ s accomplishments in a book Portrait of a Malaysian Anaesthetist - Pioneer , Leader , Gentleman .

The fascinating details of the anesthetist ’ s pioneering career during the formative years of the Malaysian healthcare system are highlighted in the book .

DR Teoh Soo Huat , a lecturer at the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute ( IPPT ) of Universiti Sains Malaysia ( USM ) in Bertam , recently won the Dr Peter G . Lindner Award from the Obesity Medicine Association ( OMA ) of the United States .

OMA is the largest organisation working to improve the quality of care for obese patients , which comprises doctors , nurses and physician assistants . The 39-year-old is the only recipient of the award outside of the US , which honours clinicians ’ contributions to the field of obesity medicine .

“ This award serves as a motivation for me to continue my role in the field of obesity medicine in Malaysia .

“ I want to provide quality

MALAYSIAN born and raised Jane Chelliah-Manning will receive the Member of the Order of the British Empire ( MBE ) from King Charles III , at a date to be determined .

She had been contacted by the United Kingdom Cabinet Office and was informed that she had been picked for the award for her work in the civil service and contributions to British society .

Jane , 59 , works as an assistant director in the British government ’ s Department for Business , and holds a Master ’ s degree in international relations from the London School of

Dr Sachi was responsible for the first intensive care unit ( ICU ) opening its doors at the General Hospital Johor Baru ( now renamed Sultanah Aminah Hospital ) in 1968 .

The ICU was constructed in 1968 at an estimated cost of RM120,000 thanks to support from Junior Chamber International ( JCI or Jaycees ), a worldwide non-governmental organisation of young leaders and entrepreneurs ( of which Dr Sachi was a member ). It was the second of its kind after the ICU at University Hospital in Kuala Lumpur and the first ICU established in a Health Ministry government hospital in Malaysia . It was also the first in Johor .

Dr Sachi was born in Kuala Lumpur , British Malaya , on Aug 2 , 1931 . He was raised in an uppermiddle class Tamil Ceylonese family and was the second youngest of four siblings .

He received his medical degree from Calcutta Medical School in 1957 and on Aug 23 , 958 , returned home and enlisted in the Malayan Medical Service .

He made a significant contribution in the field of regional

obesity care to patients and to train doctors with similar interests in this country ,” he said .

The obesity medicine doctor and family medicine specialist at the Department of Clinical Medicine in IPPT strives to assist the Malaysian community in dealing with obesity , which is prevalent in the country , through evidence-based treatments .

“ We offer clinical services to people living with obesity by providing lifestyle advice , behaviour modifications , anti-obesity medications , and discussion on bridging to bariatric surgery ,” he added .

Teoh , who was born in Jelutong , has been working in this area for nearly 12 years , including seven of those spent with the

Economics . The award , she said , also recognised her work as chair of a London-based charity for women with learning disabilities .

“ It ’ s one of those rare moments in life when you get something you never dreamt would come your way . You never aimed for it . It ’ s other people who nominated you in secret . I never thought this would happen to me ,” she said .

She dedicates her MBE award to her late father , John Chelliah , who had always encouraged her

anaesthesia , which was then a novel idea . Regional anaesthesia is the selective application of local anaesthetics to numb or block pain perception in a sizeable portion of the body , such as the arm , leg , chest , or abdomen . This enables surgery to be performed on a part of the body while the patient is awake but pain-free .

Sachithanandan died in London during elective heart surgery at the age of 49 . Proceeds from the sale of the book will be channelled to the Malaysian Society of Intensive Care and the Lung Cancer Network Malaysia , of which Dr Anand is the founding president .

Health Ministry before beginning work at USM . Teoh received a scholarship from USM and the Higher Education Ministry , and in 2022 he finished his subspecialty training in obesity medicine in Ottawa , Canada .

He had previously been recognised by the World Obesity Federation in 2020 as a National Fellow . to reach for the skies . “ He was the former director of the Malaysian Agricultural Producers Association . My parents always encouraged their children to aim high ,” she said , adding that the values they instilled helped her through life ’ s journey .

Jane , who is also a contributor to the BBC Asian Network on issues relating to Asian women , hoped that she could deliver the right message for women , including her 23-year-old daughter .

Datuk ( Dr ) Johnson receiving his doctorate from Professor Dr R . Vijaya .

REVON Media Sdn Bhd Managing Editor Datuk Johnson Fernandez ’ s contribution to journalism was recognised not once , but twice , in December 2022 .

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Journalism by the Hyderabad-based St Mother Theresa University ( SMTU ) on Dec 17 , just nine days after he received the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang , which carries the title Datuk , on Dec 8 .

Johnson , 65 , said December had been kind to him and deemed them early Christmas presents . “ I never expected either award . It is an honour to get one from the King , and special to be recognised by a foreign university .

“ This is another honour I accept on behalf of all Malaysian journalists , especially since the recognition comes from a foreign entity .”

Johnson was among the first of four Malaysians to be given the prestigious Award by SMTU . The other three were Raymond Chin ( Honorary Doctorate in Social Entrepreneurship & Community Services ), P . Applannaidoo ( Honorary Doctorate in Martial Arts & Humanitarian Services ) and Datin Dr Nor Hafizah Ismail ( Professor of Practice ).

They received their awards from Prof Dr R . Vijaya Saraswathy , the University ’ s Founder and Pro-Vice Chancellor in Kuala Lumpur .

“ I hope the doctorate will make people realise that good journalism can make a difference ,” said Johnson , who served with the National Echo ( 1979-82 ), The Star ( 1982-87 ) and The Malay Mail ( 1987-2003 ).

He was The Malay Mail Sports Editor from 1998-2003 . In 1994 , he received the Sports Journalist of the Year Award . He was also the General Secretary of the Asian Sports Press Union ( ASPU ) and the International Sports Press Association ( AIPS ) committee member .

He has covered major sporting events such as the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was feared for his weekly columns . Royalty , cabinet ministers , high rollers , business tycoons , officials , administrators , and athletes felt the brunt when he penned his thoughts .

But he also gave credit where credit was due . “ I have always been fair in my reporting and commentaries . If someone does something good , I would say so and would encourage them to do better .

“ Similarly , if an official or player fails to perform , I would call them out . It does not matter who they are . My criticism is fair and balanced .

“ All I wanted was to do my job as diligently as possible and write without fear or favour ,” said Johnson , who was the only Malaysian journalist invited to speak at the 2010 Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Geneva . – The Health