In our interview with Dr. Syed Ajmal, he highlights his journey back home as a doctor at Sunway Medical Centre, Selangor. From his humble beginnings as a houseman at Ipoh Hospital to returning from the UK as a highly skilled professional specialising in the forefront of respiratory medicine, Dr. Ajmal’s work in Interventional Pulmonology and Pleural has the potential to advance Malaysian medicine even further.
The journey away and back home
Dr. Ajmal began honing his skills at Ipoh Hospital and Teluk Intan Hospital in Malaysia. He recalls the valuable hands-on experiences he gained in his Malaysian practice, which were incomparable to those which are available elsewhere in the world and set a solid foundation for his medical career. He later set off to the UK eager to explore new perspectives in the global healthcare scene. There, he specialised in respiratory medicine and later subspecialised in Interventional Pulmonology and Pleural Procedures.
During his tenure abroad, he worked as a respiratory specialist during the COVID-19 pandemic. His firsthand experience during the pandemic in the UK highlighted the significance of preparedness and collaboration in mitigating future healthcare crises. He emphasises that respiratory medicine is the cornerstone of pandemic mitigation and advancements in this specialisation will play a crucial role in future pandemic management.
After seven years in the UK, Dr. Ajmal’s return to Malaysia is followed by his eagerness to share his expertise in Interventional Pulmonology and Pleural Procedures. These advanced techniques are particularly beneficial to patients in Malaysia going through lung cancer, Tuberculosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
A Vision For Malaysia
Dr. Ajmal aims to elevate respiratory care in Malaysia by educating Malaysian medical practitioners about the latest advancements in respiratory medicine. When he resided in the UK, he often came back to Malaysia to share his experience with local medical practitioners. With his return, Dr. Ajmal plans to push his agenda further through teaching, training, knowledge-sharing initiatives and mentorship.
Dr. Ajmal also envisions a future where collaboration paves the way for collective growth and excellence. He advocates for healthcare collaboration between the government and private sectors and recognises the wealth of talent within and beyond Malaysia’s borders, emphasising the importance of fostering collaboration and retaining skilled professionals. His work in Malaysia’s medical landscape can benefit the Malaysian healthcare system further and promote Malaysia’s medical tourism even more.
With all that, he also hopes for an increased investment in the healthcare system’s future from the government. This is to ensure long-term cost benefits and aid patients with respiratory comorbidities with their care and treatment. As Malaysia’s healthcare landscape continues to grow and evolve, Dr. Ajmal sees both challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Despite acknowledging the constant hurdle of underfunding and talent retention in the medical healthcare landscape, he remains optimistic about the potential for growth and improvement.
Embrace opportunity and inspire change
Dr. Ajmal extends a heartfelt invitation to fellow Malaysian healthcare professionals abroad, urging them to heed the call of their homeland. His journey home was assisted by MyHeart’s Returning Expert Programme. Supported by the benefits of career opportunities, tax incentives and an easier route to permanent residency for foreign spouses or children, you too, can feel at ease in your homecoming journey.
Interested in following Dr. Ajmal’s footsteps and returning to your forever home? Register on MyHeart and start your application today!
