CSR Initiative By Education Malaysia Global Services Features Dr. Takayuki Akahoshi

KUALA LUMPUR,Malaysia,April 9,2019 -- Dr. Takayuki AKAHOSHI,the Director of Ophthalmology at the Mitsui Memorial Hospital in Tokyo,Japan,is recognised as one of the most successful and innovative ophthalmologists today. He is a world-renowned authority in cataract surgery,particularly forits development of the phaco prechop technique and instrumentation that divides the nucleus prior to phacoemulsification,thereby eliminating the process of nuclear grooving.

Dr. Akahoshi has graciously honoured Malaysia as his next country of choice to share his expertise. EGMS,in collaboration with the National University of Malaysia (UKM) and the Ministry of Health,are proud tohost a series of programmes at UKM Medical Centre,Kuala Lumpur; Langkawi Hospital,Kedah; and Queen Elizabeth Hospital,Sabah between 23 and 30 April 2019 as part of our corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The main highlight would be live surgeries where Dr. Akahoshi would be offering free treatment using own-developed techniques to select locals at UKMMC and Langkawi Hospital. These programmes would involve skills transfer which would benefit local specialists and specialist trainees in this field.

He would also deliver lectures at each location which would benefit ophthalmologists,ophthalmology trainees and other medical officers. Together with other local specialists,Dr. Akahoshi would also deliver lectures atthe National Cataract Surgery Symposium (NCSS 2019) at UKM Medical Centre,Cheras,Kuala Lumpurfrom 26-28 April 2019-- Malaysia's first at national level.

The Government of Malaysia has been investing heavily in this field. There are currently 3 public universities that offer courses and trainings in ophthalmology,which are the National University of Malaysia (UKM),University of Malaya (UM) and University of Science,Malaysia (USM).

The government also built the Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital (THONEH) to provide public education and professional care in this area. Under the hospital,National Eye Bank was set up to help with the procurement of eye donors,and the National Institute of Ophthalmic Sciences (NIOS) to provide training and research programmes.

Cataract surgery is compulsory as part of specialist training in ophthalmology. Today,the Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology has 606 members,and with the right training programmes in place,more would have the honour to put their names on the register.

Dr. Akahoshi's visit would provide an excellent opportunity to boost Malaysia's teaching and learning (T&L) and continuing professional development (CPD) in this area. This is not only for ophthalmologists,but also specialists in other related disciplines. In making these great strides,Malaysia is leading the way and setting a new benchmark for the region in ophthalmology.

Dr. Takayuki Akahoshi also had the pleasure to have administered treatment to YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad,the Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2015.