Welcome aboard to all MMed Paediatrics USM June 2026 intake!

Wishing all of you a smooth and rewarding journey throughout the four years of training ahead. May this programme be filled with valuable learning experiences, professional growth, and success in achieving your goals.

Not just a photoshoot, but a reflection of unity and warmth within our team. Moments like these turn colleagues into family

The first East Coast Neonatal Ventilation Workshop 2026 was successfully held on 30^th and 31^st January 2026 at the Blok Pembelajaran dan Sumber Pelajar (BPSP), Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). This workshop was jointly organized by the Department of Paediatrics, USM, in collaboration with Dräger Malaysia and Schmidt BioMedTech (Malaysia).

The workshop was attended by 60 doctors, predominantly from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Over the course of two days, participants benefited from comprehensive lectures and hands-on training sessions delivered by neonatologists from USM and experts from the collaborating industry partners.

The event commenced with a welcoming address by Prof. Madya Dr Noraida Ramli, followed by the officiating speech delivered by the Deputy Director of Hospital Pakar USM, Professor Dr Mohd Imran bin Yusof, setting a positive and inspiring tone for the workshop.

Day 1: Scientific Lectures

The first day focused on core principles and updates in neonatal respiratory diseases and ventilation strategies. Prof. Madya Dr Noraida Ramli delivered an insightful lecture on pulmonary mechanics in neonatal lung diseases, with emphasis on Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. This was followed by Dr Farohah Che Mat Zain, who discussed other important neonatal lung conditions, including Congenital Pneumonia, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome, and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). These sessions provided valuable clinical guidance, particularly for budding paediatricians managing patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Mr Matthew Tan, an invited expert from Dräger Malaysia, then shared his expertise in a session on Decoding Ventilator Waveforms and Mastering Conventional Ventilation, enhancing participants’ understanding of ventilator interpretation and management. The programme paused for lunch and Friday prayers.

In the afternoon, Mr Matthew Tan continued with an advanced lecture on Lung Recruitment Strategies using High-Frequency Oscillation Ventilation (HFOV), a modality often perceived as challenging in neonatal ventilation. This was followed by Dr Farohah Che Mat Zain, who shared practical insights on Extubation Readiness: Principles and Strategies, highlighting key considerations for safe and successful extubation.

Recognising the importance of non-invasive support, Dr Nor Rosidah Ibrahim delivered a lecture on Non-Invasive Ventilation in Neonates. Before concluding Day 1, Ms Chloe Tan from Dräger Malaysia presented an update on Seattle Plus Bubble CPAP, an important modality in neonatal respiratory care.

Day 2: Hands-on Workshops

Day 2 consisted of six hands-on workshop stations, with all 60 participants divided into six groups rotating through each station over a four-hour session.

• Station 1: “Breathing Without a Tube” – Mastering Neonatal NIV
  
  

Miss Jessie Chua introduced participants the non-invasive ventilation using the WILAmed NIV system, featuring multiple advanced modes compared to conventional machines. This session provided an eye-opening update on current neonatal ventilation technology.

• Station 2: Seattle Plus Bubble CPAP
  
  

Ms Chloe Tan demonstrated the mechanism and clinical applications of Bubble CPAP, reinforcing its role in neonatal respiratory management.

• Station 3: “When Things Go Wrong” – Case-Based Troubleshooting Lab
  
  

Prof. Madya Dr Noraida Ramli presented five real-life clinical scenarios involving common neonatal lung diseases, guiding participants through systematic troubleshooting approaches.

• Station 4: “Fine-Tuning the Vent” – Smarter Conventional Ventilation
  
  

Mr Matthew Tan led participants in interpreting ventilator waveforms and addressing oxygenation and ventilation issues, with detailed explanations of various ventilator modes.

• Station 5: “Make HFOV Work for You” – High-Frequency Ventilation Mastery
  
  

Dr Farohah Che Mat Zain shared practical strategies for HFOV use in both preterm and term infants, including precautions and ventilator adjustments based on arterial blood gas results.

• Station 6: “iNO Therapy” – Optimising Pulmonary Pressure in the NICU

Dr Nor Rosidah Ibrahim demonstrated the clinical application of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), discussing its indications and contraindications in neonatal care.

The workshop concluded with a token of appreciation ceremony, honouring all speakers and facilitators for their invaluable contributions.

Overall, the East Coast Neonatal Ventilation Workshop 2026 successfully achieved its objective of enhancing participants’ knowledge, confidence, and practical skills in neonatal ventilation, fostering improved care for critically ill neonates.

Dr Ong Jia Cheng

Course Director

Link to pictures 

Day 1: https://tinyurl.com/photo300126ECNeoVent

Day 2: https://tinyurl.com/photo31012026ECNeoVent

November is a month of celebration for children worldwide, as we come together annually to celebrate World Prematurity Day on 17th November and World Children’s Day on 20th November. In honour to these meaningful dates, the Department of Paediatric Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia in collaboration with the School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia successfully organised a series of activities throughout the week, from 17 to 22 November 2025 to raise awareness, celebrate resilience and highlight our ongoing commitmment to child health and well being. This 6-days event comprised of 4 separate activities, which were Health and Safety awareness exhibition, Children’s Day Celebration, Preemie and Children’s Day Fun Walk and Prematurity Day Celebration.

The event started off with the Health and Safety  Awareness Exhibition from 17th to 20th November 2025, focusing on  Neonatal Care for Premature Babies, Basic Life Support for Infants and Children, Children Safety and Oncology awareness. The exhibition was held along the pathway infront of HPUSM Outpatient Pharmacy. The aim of this exhibition is to provide insight on nursing care in the neonatal intensive care unit for premature babies, to raise awareness on Kangaroo Mother Care and benefits of breast feeding, besides providing education on basic life support measures for infant and children to the public.

Meanwhile,  the Oncology booth provided the public some insights regarding the challenges faced by our oncology patients, while the Children safety booth gave information on the potential hazards at home and ways to prevent children from getting harmed.

On 20th November 2025, World Children’s Day 2025 celebration was held at Level 6 of Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia. It was themed “Bermain, Belajar dan Membesar Dengan Selamat” focusing on providing children a safe environment to play, learn and grow. About  40 children from D’Prince USM and Kompleks ECCE (Eacrly Child Care and Education) Kampus Kesihatan USM attended this event, where they participated in various activities such as sing-and- dance- along, hand hygiene education, colouring contests and arts and crafts and traditional games. Besides, pharmacists and teachers from Sekolah Dalam Hospital also organised booths to provide information to parents who attended this evet. Meanwhile, children in the general paediatric ward 6 Selatan and oncology patients in 6 Utara received gift packs from our sponsors

The highlight of the week was the Preemie and Children’s Day Fun Walk, held on the 21st November 2025. Despite the gloomy skies and heavy rain, approximately 500 participants turned up in solidarity to support premature babies. Dressed in vibrant raincoats and carrying umbrellas, each participant held balloons in purple, blue and pink symbolising hope for the premature survivors. The 3.5km walk began at Grey square, PPSP  continued around  USM jogging track and concluded back at Grey Square. The participants were led and accompanied by the cyclists from the USM Cycling Club ensuring both safety and enthusiasm throughout the route. The event ended with a Lucky draw session, where 100 lucky winners walked away with amazing prizes.

The finale for the week was the World Prematurity Day celebration on 22nd November 2025 with the theme “ Give Preterm Babies A Strong Start For A Brighter Future”. Due to  heavy rain, the event was brought indoors to  Bilik Tutorial A. It was attended by 30 Preemie Warriors and their family members. Following a delightful  breakfast, the children participated in engaging activities including face painting, bowling, snake and ladder game and colouring contest. The climax of the day was the Fashion Show where our Preemie warriors, dressed  in Superhero costumes, walked the runway with remarkable courage and charisma. The celebration concluded with a heartfelt closing ceremony, followed by a cake cutting and group photo taking session, marking a memorable end to the week’s event

The success of this week’s activities was made possible through the dedicated efforts of consultants, specialists, medical officers, staff nurses, supporting staffs and medical students from Paediatric department, whose teamwork ensured smooth execution at every stage. We also extend our hearfelt appreciation to the School of Medical Sciences, USM and Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia as well as our sponsors, whose generosity and commitment added immense value to the celebration. Together, this collaboration not only brought joy to families and our Preemie Warrior but also reinforced the shared mission of giving preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future