KUALA LUMPUR: Another Sarawakian Dr Alan Fong has taken over the presidency of the National Heart Association Malaysia (NHAM), succeeding Professor Dr Datuk Wan Azman Wan Ahmad.
According to Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Dr Fong’s stewardship of NHAM comes after he (Dr Sim) had served in the capacity for 13 years.
“I had the privilege to lead as president from 2008 to 2021. It was an opportunity to contribute globally from the jungle of Borneo, as president of the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology (APSC), Governor for Asia-Pacific Region (ACC), board member of the World Heart Federation and ESC Scientific committee member,” he said yesterday after attending the NHAM Congress 2022 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Dr Sim who is also Minister of Local Government, Housing, and Public Health said NHAM 2022 not only highlight scientific advancement but the professional camaraderie among more than 1,800 delegates, accounting for the largest medical meeting in Malaysia.
“It is not just about how I built up NHAM which is the professional society of cardiac practitioners including cardiologists who are the Fellows of NHAM, cardiac nurses, and cardiac technicians over 10 years.
“It is also not about the achievements during my time from an annual meeting of 300 to 1,300 delegates, having the first convocation of NHAM Fellows, having a Heart House of our own, becoming financially independent and Malaysia becoming the first chapter of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in the world.
“Most importantly, it is about the legacy and how well people come after you. With Dr Fong taking over the presidency, I have great confidence in the legacy,” he said.
