UM top surgeon drives reform
Espousing this principle, Prof Datuk Dr April Camilla Roslani said although it may seem daunting, much can be achieved with objective, strategic thinking.
She added that the united efforts of key stakeholders are just as paramount.
The professor of colorectal surgery at the Universiti Malaya (UM) Faculty of Medicine – where she is also a former dean – embodies this belief through her work in the medical field.
One of her most notable contributions was founding Malaysia's largest colorectal surgery unit at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) – now a central resource for national colorectal training and treatment.
She shared that colorectal surgery was only recognised as a subspecialty of general surgery in Malaysia in 2006. At the time, she was UMMC's sole colorectal surgeon.
'My initial challenge was convincing my department that it was even necessary to have a colorectal unit,' she recalled, adding that much of the work back then was handled by general surgeons.
'I had to spend the first few years patiently setting up the service, fighting for funding, auditing the outcomes, while recruiting, training and expanding my team,' she recalled.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to surgery and medical education, Prof April recently received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – the highest distinction granted by the institution.
Expressing her humility at being this year's recipient, Prof April, who is currently serving as councillor of the International Surgical Society and director of the International Office at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, said the honour is not just a personal milestone.
'This recognition by RCSI – an organisation with the highest standards and a truly global outlook – has been personally validating, but it is also a tribute to the general surgical fraternity in Malaysia, who has been united in its efforts to effect positive change in surgical training.
'Previous recipients include Louis Pasteur, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa, while past Malaysian honorees include the late Sultan Azlan Shah, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Abu Bakar Suleiman. It is an immense honour to be placed in this pantheon,' she told StarEdu.
This latest recognition is yet another feather in Prof April's cap. She has previously received global honours, including Honorary Fellowships from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the American and Philippine Societies of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.
Prof April's path into medicine began not in a lab, but on stage – she trained in dance and music before turning to surgery.
'To excel in the arts requires creativity, resilience and discipline.
'The hours of practice, making something complex look simple, and the guidance from experienced mentors – these lessons are also applicable to surgery, which combines science and art to heal humanity,' she said.
Prof April's drive to improve the field does not stop at the operating table.
As a key figure in postgraduate medical education, she helped develop Malaysia's National Curriculum for General Surgery and introduced a locally tailored Train-the-Trainers programme to strengthen the quality of surgical instruction nationwide.
Beyond training, she is equally committed to pushing for systemic improvements and is well known for championing healthier, more supportive medical work environments.
'Our healthcare system has done well in the past, but those achievements have been on the backs of a stretched workforce, and often at great personal sacrifice. This is not sustainable,' she said, pointing to worrying trends like staff attrition and a declining interest in surgery as a career.
Prof April believes the work is far from done.
'Those involved in advocacy don't do it for recognition.
'Integrating new technologies like artificial intelligence, while retaining the human touch and fighting for better work conditions will always be ongoing,' she said.
She also expressed her hope for a single national healthcare system – governed and funded separately from the rest of the civil service.
'This would allow us to combine the best of both private and public sectors for clinical service, training and research, and ensure fairer pay, better staff retention and healthier work environments,' she said.
The Honorary Fellowship was presented at RCSI's recent conferring ceremony on July 7, at its historic St. Stephen's Green campus in Dublin, where 402 healthcare professionals from around the world were welcomed into its global community of fellows and members.
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The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
