21 July 2017, Istanbul.
Malaysian paediatrician and neonatologist Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin was awarded the FIMA (Federation of Islamic Medical Associations) Lifetime Achievement award today in recognition of his humanitarian contributions to the health and well being of fellow mankind.
The award was presented by the President of Turkey, HE Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the historic Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul, with the citation read by Dr. Jeffrey Abu Hassan, the President of Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM). Over 1,000 delegates attended the Gala Dinner, including 400 students who participated in the FIMA student camp held concurrently.
FIMA is the parent body of Islamic Medical Associations in 41 countries, with a strong track record in various charitable health projects globally. FIMA Save Vision, a programme to eradicate blindness, has undertaken 1.5 million outpatient consultations in 25 countries and performed 150,000 eye operations curing blindness. The programme earned FIMA the Richard & Hinda Rosenthal award from the American College of Physicians, USA.
FIMA Save Smile, a programme providing surgical repair of cleft lip and palate, and FIMA Save Dignity, a programme offering surgery of fistulas affecting the vagina following a traumatic delivery, have been equally commendable.
IMAM, FIMA’s local counterpart, is no less active in serving the needs of marginalised communities in Malaysia, namely the Orang Asli, refugees and immigrant population.
Success stories include IMAM’s cost-effective, efficient and solar-powered water treatment plants that are currently operating in the Orang Asli settlements in Ulu Tiram, Johor and Dabong, Kelantan, in collaboration with the Malaysian Armed Forces and Ministry of Health. These initiatives were part of FIMA’s Save Water programme that aims to provide safe and clean water to other parts of the world.
On receiving the award, Dato Dr. Musa says, “I’m honoured and humbled to receive this award but I believe the real credit goes to the ‘invisible hands’ who work tirelessly with every project I’m involved in. These are the real heroes who deserve the recognition for their time, effort and sacrifice”.
A consultant paediatrician and neonatologist in KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital and past president of IMAM, Dr Musa served two terms as President of FIMA from 2005-2009. He is now the chairman of the FIMA Advisory Council.
Dynamic and passionate about human rights and public health, he serves as the chairman of IMAM’s Rumah Solehah, a home for women and children living with HIV/AIDS, which received the 2004 Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Award for Excellence in grassroots HIV/AIDS Initiatives. He is also the default paediatrician on call for OrphanCare, a not-for-profit organisation that connects abandoned babies to loving families.
Most known for his efforts to champion the rights of the Palestinians for justice, peace and self determination through the non-governmental organisation, Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM), Dr Musa is also the Honorary Treasurer of the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA) which advocates for the health and welfare of children in Malaysia and the region. His efforts earned him the Outstanding Asian Paediatrician Award by the Asia Pacific Paediatric Association in 2012.
Dr Musa is also a key driver in immunise4life, a national initiative to increase the national immunisation coverage of children with routine and life-saving vaccines. His book, Immunisation Controversies, co-authored with leading healthcare child health professionals and advocates in 2015 to debunk myths and misconceptions on vaccination, sold out 2000 copies within 3 months of its first print.
