Global Grant Launch Forum

We are pleased to inform that the Global Grant (GG1980839) Launch which was held on Saturday 31st January 2021 on the subject “TRAINING HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS & SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHERS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF SPINA BIFIDA” was an event with a difference!!

Sibiam’s focus amongst others is to create awareness about spina bifida at various levels especially amongst SB families, SB adults and the community. But with limited resources this has always been a challenge. With the availability of the Global grant, thanks to the key driver Dr Kribanandan Gurusamy along with the joint efforts of SiBIAM & DASH members, we can now work towards creating sustainability in knowledge sharing through quality training and education programmes for Health Care Professionals and Educators in Multidisciplinary SB care and management.

The Global Grant Launch

The Global Grant launch brought together a diverse group of people and organisations with the aim to assist this initiative. Dr Kriban G N set the stage by covering the history of the RCD journey in this area of service, starting with the link up with the Spina Bifida Association of Malaysia (SiBIAM) in 2010 and the formation of the District Action Group on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (DASH) in 2019, That was followed by an illustrative presentation by Prof (Dr) Amara Naicker- Naysaduray President of SiBIAM about the SB condition and health complications. The ensuing personal testimonies from the SB community by En Rozaidi Bin Ramlee, K. Aveena Devi, Pang Pei Yee, Mr Harmes Singh,Tengku Ari Bachtiladien and Dr Yang Mee Eng on the challenges, tribulations and personnel triumphs moved and inspired everyone present.

The outcome of the meeting has been beautifully illustrated graphically in 3 segments, as below ie:

– Making the Connections and the Next Steps

– Living with Spina Bifida and

– The role of Partners in the SB Journey

The event was well supported by Past District Governor (PDG) Leslie Salehuddin of Rotary District 3300 steered the event as MC without a hitch and in a masterly manner. District Governor (DG) Dato Bindi Rajasegaran of Rotary District 3300 who was with us for the whole event gave a very meaningful speech and effectively connected the dots before officially declaring the Launch of the Global Grant. Director General Elect (DGE) Dr Krishna Kumar of Rotary District 3300 ended the event with a very poignant closing address. We had dignitaries from Rotary District s D3310 (Singapore, Sabah & Sarawak), D3340 (Jakarta, Indonesia) and D3232 (Chennai, India) including a message of support from Dr Sylvia Roozen of the International Federation of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IFBSH).

You may watch the video below for the full video of the Global Grant Forum: