MSPTM Mid-Year Seminar 2025

In conjunction with the 25th Annual Workshop of the Regional Network for Asian Schistosomiasis and Other Helminth Zoonoses (RNAS+)

📅 22–23 July 2025 | 📍 National Institutes of Health (NIH), Malaysia

🧭 Theme: “Surviving, Adapting, Thriving in the Next Quarter”

The Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM), in collaboration with RNAS+, successfully hosted a two-day international seminar that brought together over 100 participants from 11 countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Japan, Myanmar, China, the USA, and Malaysia.

This year’s seminar welcomed an impressive line-up of Heads of Division from the Ministries of Health, researchers, and scientists from across Asia who provided comprehensive country reports on the status and progress of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) — highlighting achievements, challenges, and future strategies in their respective nations.

🧬 Key institutions represented include:

China CDC – National Institute of Parasitic Diseases

University of the Philippines (Manila, Mindanao, Diliman)

IPB University & BRIN – Indonesia

Khon Kaen University – Thailand

Hanoi Medical University & National Institute of Malariology – Vietnam

Niigata University – Japan

MOH Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam & Malaysia

Universiti Malaya, UKM, UPM, USM, UniKL, UMT – Malaysia

📢 Seminar Highlights:

Opening officiated by Dr. Noor Azian Md Yusuf on behalf of Dr. Ami Fazlin Syed Mohamed, Director of IMR

Welcoming remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lucas Low Van Lun, MSPTM President, and Prof. Dr. Shizhu Li, President of RNAS+

Presentations on One Health frameworks, AI applications in parasitology, schistosomiasis surveillance and elimination, and innovative diagnostics

Launch of the Network of Tropical Diseases Laboratories in the Lancang–Mekong Region

📣 The seminar concluded with closing remarks by Adela Ida Jiram, Vice President of MSPTM and Organizing Chair, who underscored the power of knowledge-sharing, innovation, and collaborative action in the fight against NTDs.

🙏 Our heartfelt thanks to all speakers, delegates, partners, and the organizing committee. This seminar not only showcased Malaysia’s leadership in parasitology but also reaffirmed our region’s collective commitment to eliminating NTDs and strengthening health systems.

#MSPTM2025 #RNASplus #NTDs #Parasitology #GlobalHealth #OneHealth #TropicalDiseases #NIHMalaysia #IMRMalaysia #RegionalCollaboration #HealthSecurity #Schistosomiasis #ASEANHealth

EVENT GALLERY

MSPTM COMMUNITY HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAMME 2025

DATE: 27th FEBRUARY – 1ST MARCH 2025 (THURSDAY – SATURDAY)
VENUE: KAMPUNG LUBUK LEGONG, BALING, KEDAH

Health for All in Kampung Lubuk Legong!

From 27 Feb – 1 Mar 2025, MSPTM & UniSHAMS, in collaboration with USM, organised a Health Awareness Programme in Baling to promote healthy living and provide free health services! This programme is part of MSPTM community social responsibility (CSR) project.

✅ Free health screenings
🧼 Hygiene & oral care workshops for kids
🎉 Fun games & health quizzes
👩‍⚕️ Expert talks on gut health, hygiene & environment
🏠 House visits to engage the community

With the help of 32 amazing volunteers, the event reached 100+ participants and made a real impact. A big shoutout to all who made it happen!

#MSPTM #UniSHAMS #USM #CommunityHealth #PublicHealth #Baling #HealthAwareness

The Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM) and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (UniSHAMS) organised a Health Awareness Programme from 27 February to 1 March 2025 at Kampung Lubuk Legong, Baling. The event aimed to promote health awareness and provide essential health services to the local community. It was held in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

The objectives of the event included to raise awareness about common health issues and preventive measures, provide free health screenings and consultations and educate the community on hygiene practices and healthy living.
The activities conducted within the three days programme were categorised into three main themes. Firstly, health screenings and consultations whereby free health check-ups, including blood pressure, body mass index and blood sugar test were conducted. In addition, children participated in hygiene workshops focusing on proper handwashing techniques and oral health. Secondly, during the interactive sessions, children engaged in fun learning activities such as games and quizzes to make health education enjoyable. Lastly, many communities attended the expert talks by Dr. Lee Ii Li on gut health and nutrition. Dr. Farah Haziqah conducted a session on personal hygiene, while Dr. Intan Haslina Ishak shared insights on environmental health.

The programme was supported by 32 dedicated volunteers (25 MBBS students from UniSHAMS, 6 undergraduate and 1 postgraduate students from USM). These volunteers were instrumental in conducting house-to-house visits to distribute faecal sampling cups and inviting the community to participate in the awareness programme. Their contributions were key to ensuring the event’s success.

The programme successfully reached over 100 participants, including children, parents, and local leaders. The combination of educational activities and health services made a lasting impact on the community, showcasing the strength of partnerships between academia and local organization.

The MSPTM Health Awareness Programme at Kampung Lubuk Legong, Baling, was a resounding success. It not only raised health awareness but also provided valuable health services to the community. The event highlighted the importance of community engagement and collaboration in promoting public health.

Photo Gallery

Children enjoying playing games

Children participated in the hand washing activity