The Future Global Surgeons from IMU. Strong Global Presence and Local Pride

International Surgical Week (ISW) 2024, held from 26 August 2024 to 29 August 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was a landmark event in the global surgical community.

The International Surgical Society (ISS) and the College of Surgeons Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (CSAMM) collaboratively organised this momentous surgical conference, continuing the tradition of excellence established by ISW 2022 in Vienna. The ISW 2024 marks a pivotal moment as it is being held in Malaysia for the first time and led by the first female ISS president – Professor Emeritus Yip Cheng-Har.

A series of pre-conference workshops on essential surgical skills provided us with a hands-on, informative experience ahead of the main event. These included:

– “Where There Are No Trauma Surgeons” workshop development by IATSIC-WHO
– Intraoperative Radiotherapy by BSI
– Ultrasound Workshop by BSI
– GI Workshop “Davos” Course by ISS/SIC
– Oncoplastic Workshop by BSI
– NOTSS Workshop by IASSS
– Writers Workshop by WJS

IATSIC: International Association for Trauma and Intensive Care, BSI: Breast Surgery International,  ISS/SIC: International Society of Surgery, or the Societe Internationale de Chirurgie, IASSS: International Association of Student Surgical Societies, WJS: World Journal of Surgery

A Global presence of our own IMU Alumnus, Dr Yuki contributed to the development of the “Where There Are No Trauma Surgeons” course by the IATSIC-WHO group, an initiative which can only be attended by invitation. The development of this course was commissioned by WHO to IATSIC for district hospital doctors to learn trauma management at a higher level between the ATLS and DSTC.

Beyond the professional development, the Future Surgeons Programme (FSP) provided us an opportunity to share the unique culture of Malaysia. From introducing local favourites such as Nasi Lemak, Prawn Mee, and Banana Leaf, to the iconic Malaysian landmarks visited like the Batu Caves, Pasar Seni Central Market, and the Petronas Twin Towers. The week not only allowed us to introduce the diversity of our country but also fostered a sense of camaraderie among the global cohort of young surgeons.

Prof Yip Cheng Har, the President of ISS 2024, set an inspiring tone in her speech of how ISS provided a global presence in surgery which pivoted towards a direction promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI). It was followed by the speech from Dr Siow Sze Li, the President of CSAMM. At the same time, Prof Lum Siew Kheong who is one of our IMU lecturers, was awarded the M Balasegaram Trainer Award for his significant contributions to the training and education of surgeons in Malaysia, by CSAMM.

During this ceremony, IMU alumni were honoured to receive the Future Surgeons Programme (FSP) trophies for both delegates and organisers on stage, recognising the dedication and potential of emerging surgeons from around the world. Dr Lim Yee Siew and Dr Heng Hian Jie were selected globally as a delegate under Future Surgeons Programme (FSP), exemplifying their work and dedication to surgery. Dr Yuki Julius Ng was part of the local organising committee of ISW KL and managed the main IASSS main symposium sessions while Dr Shivadeva Selvamani was one of the conference executives who represented IMU Surgical Society at a global stage.

The conference featured a broad range of sessions and workshops across various surgical specialties. We had the privilege of attending sessions conducted by prestigious organisations such as the International Association for Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care (IATSIC) and the International Society for Digestive Surgery (ISDS).

One particular highlight was the World Journal of Surgery (WJS) Writers Workshop, for which we were invited to join for free. Spanning three consecutive mornings, the workshop was meticulously tailored for aspiring researchers like ourselves. Prof Sherry Wren, the editor-in-chief of WJS, led the series by offering valuable insights into the journal’s perspective on manuscript writing. We were guided through the intricate process of coming up with a successful submission for high-indexed journals, with practical advice on each stage of the journey.

Divided into small groups of ten, each group was facilitated by a WJS editor who provided personalised guidance during private sessions. This format allowed for an interactive experience, where we could share our own article drafts, receive immediate feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions on how to improve our chances of publication.

It was an eye-opening opportunity that not only clarified the submission process but also empowered us with the tools and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the global surgical literature.

ISW 2024 also showcased IMU alumni and medical students’ involvement and leadership. Several of us, including Dr Shivadeva and Dr Yuki, served as moderators for various impactful sessions conducted by IASSS. Dr Shivadeva moderated the session titled “Welcoming the Students and Trainees into the World of Surgery,” which featured esteemed speakers such as Tan Sri Noor Hisham Abdullah (Malaysia), Dato’ Kandasami Palayan (Malaysia), and Dr Francisco Schlottmann (Argentina), providing invaluable insights into the evolving journey of becoming a surgeon.

Meanwhile, Dr Yuki led the session on “The Changing World of Research,” with distinguished speakers like Prof Sherry Wren (USA), Prof Shireen Nah (Malaysia), and Dr Sivesh Kamarajah (UK), exploring the dynamic landscape of surgical research and innovation. We also presented our research and clinical work with contributions from Prof Lim Kean Ghee and Dr Lim Yee Siew who delivered an oral presentation.

The conference also featured the Golden Scalpel awards, which was organised by Dr Yuki Julius, Dr Shivadeva, Dr Amanda Leong, Mr Fong Yan Bin, and Dr Ng Jyi Cheng, highlighting the importance of basic surgical skills. It is a competition that challenges participants across various essential surgical skills, focusing on precision and speed. It includes events like the fastest hand knotting, subcutaneous suturing, peg transfer, and intracorporeal suturing. These tasks not only test dexterity but also emphasize the importance of mastering fundamental techniques in surgery.

Ultimately, the competition saw impressive performances, with the surgical trainee category won by a participant from China and the medical student category claimed by a talented student from Malaysia.

Additionally, this conference provided a great opportunity for IMU lecturers, alumni and medical students to connect, including notable figures such as Prof Ismail Burud, Dr Tan Yee Wen, Dr Goo Zhen Qiang, Dr Firdaus Nasution, Dr Heng Hian Ee, and many others. Our IMU alumni are now qualified surgeons or surgical trainees.

The international involvement and support allowed the authors of this article to be involved in multiple research projects with the Program of Global Surgery and Social Change at Harvard Medical School, Yale University, Karolinska Institute of medicine, the WHO Consortium for global health, Ministries of Health from various countries, as well as other well-known research group with a particular focus on Surgery. These study groups constitute topics on blood transfusion, trauma or injuries, global surgery focussing on low and middle income countries, breast and cervical cancer, surgical policy workstreams, Caesarean sections and surgical volume, epidemiology and many more niche topics in Global Surgery.

This result never stemmed from just a single one-off support; Rome was not built in a day. This was the result of the continuous support IMU has shown. The bridge that led to the increased accessibility for IMU students to nurture their interest in Surgery was in the year 2017 when IMU supported two of their students namely Dr Yih Jeng Cheong and Dr Yuki Julius Ng who were both selected globally by the International Association of Student Surgical Society. This year when Malaysia hosted the World Congress of Surgery for the first time, student engagement was strong nationally and the presence of IMU graduates was visible across all levels of career.

The support IMU has given to its students has been palpable on the global stage and contributed to the local pride in Surgery. Its investment in students pursuing a future in surgery has become a reality for some and continues to make a change for the global fraternity in medicine. A heartfelt thank you to IMU for their unwavering support which has been instrumental in making our participation in ISW 2024 a transformative experience.

The authors of this article extends their invitation to students who are interested in surgery.

Authors: Shivadeva Selvamani, Heng Hian Jie, Lim Yee Siew, Yuki Julius Ng, IMU Medical Alumni