Spina Bifida Awareness Workshop 2022 – IPOH

The Global Grant Launch is a project proposed by SiBIAM and DASH on 31st July 2021 with the aim to:

  1. Raise awareness about Spina Bifida and empower healthcare professionals (HCP) and special needs teachers to be able to care for SB needs
  2. Enhance knowledge and provide training to key HCP, rehabilitation personnels, occupation therapists and teachers in SB-related care and to encourage provision of combined multidisciplinary clinic services to ensure coordination and timely intervention and management of SB.
  3. Encourage networking and linkage between SB families and HCP to establish local “service centres” as extension of SiBIAM that will provide information, encourage peer support and connect to appropriate medical and social services, whilst also serving to compile local data which later can be used for resource allocations and policy matters.

In Phase 3 of the Global Grant Launch, 1-day workshop which aims to create awareness and educate parents, caregivers, teachers and the public about SB would be held nationwide. The third and last workshop of the year 2022 will be held at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh.

The Spina Bifida Association of Malaysia (SiBIAM) in collaboration with the District Action Group for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (DASH) organised a “Ipoh Spina Bifida Awareness Workshop 2022” on the 26th November 2022 from 8am to 4.30pm at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh Perak. The co-organisers of this workshop are the Rehabilitation Department of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh and the Rotary Club of Ipoh.

This workshop is funded by the Rotary Foundation and supported by the Rotary District 3300 via Global Grant Project. We are currently at the 3rd phase of the project which involved conducting Awareness and Education programs in 7 states throughout Malaysia. The event aims to be an educational tool and initiative to raise awareness on multidisciplinary approach and best practices when dealing with Spina bifida and its related conditions. This event is targeted at healthcare professionals from various disciplines and specialisations, Spina Bifida persons and families, Special education teachers, and caregivers. 

Dr Megat Iskandar Bin Megat Abdul Hamid (P.M.P), Director of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Raja Bainun (HRPB) officiated the event. He expressed his special thanks to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine HRPB, Spina Bifida Association of Malaysia (SIBIAM), District Action Group for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (DASH) and Rotary Club of Ipoh for their advocacy efforts and great teamwork. We had several dignitaries who graced this event, including, Dr.Krishna Kumar (District Governor, Rotary District 3300) Prof Dr. Amara Naicker-Naysaduray (President of SiBIAM), Ir Dr Kribanandan (Chairperson of DASH), President Yap Suan See (Rotary club of Ipoh, RCI), Assistant Governor Sonny Leong, Past President Edwin Siebel (Project Service Director, RCI), Past President Yap Yit Thing (Trustee Charity Foundation of RCI).

The event was attended by 138 healthcare providers comprising doctors, nurses, therapists and 40 spina bifida patients and their family members from districts in Perak state. There were a total of 6 exhibitors’ booths set up by Lifecare, Total Medic, Day Break, Aid Medic, PAFID and Healthy Link who presented their products and services.

The SB children were kept engaged with various innovative, fun and interactive games such as colouring, puzzles, and blocks throughout the day.

A vibrant team of Healthcare Professionals from the rehabilitation department, including Doctors, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, and nurses led by the Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Dr Ng Kee Hoong made the workshop a success.