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Forging Ahead: Bridging Gaps in Global Surgery
9-11th July 2025,
Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Noor Hisham Abdullah
Senior Consultant Surgeon in Breast and Endocrine Surgery
Former Director General of Health, Malaysia.
Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah is a distinguished Senior Consultant Surgeon in Breast and Endocrine Surgery with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. He served as the Director General of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, from March 2013 to April 2023. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Director General of Health (Medical) from January 2008 to February 2013.
Dr Hisham is widely recognized for his expertise in managing breast and endocrine cancers and has numerous published papers and textbook chapters on breast and endocrine surgery.
He completed his Master of Surgery and Medical Degrees from the National University of Malaysia (UKM). In addition, he underwent rigorous training in breast and endocrine surgery under the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Fellowship training program.
Over the years, he has become a prominent figure in global health, with vast experience in the World Health Organization (WHO) and as a Board Member of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).
He completed his 2017-2021 term as a Councillor-at-Large on the Executive Board of the International Society of Surgery (ISS) and Chair of the Global Surgery Committee of ISS. He also completed his 3-year term last year as the Chair of the WHO Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (SCHEPPR). He is currently the Chairman of the Asian Association of Endocrine Surgeons.
Dr Hisham has received numerous accolades for his exceptional contributions to healthcare. Most notably, he was awarded the prestigious Fellowship Ad Hominem of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Dr Hisham is passionate about promoting universal healthcare coverage to marginalized communities and bringing personalized healthcare back to the community through patient-centered care and creative innovation.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us hard-earned lessons about fortifying preparedness and strengthening our health systems. Central to this effort is building healthier, more inclusive communities with universal equitable access to care.
Affordable access to safe surgery is a critical prerequisite for saving lives. We must continue the efforts to protect the most vulnerable and neglected, reaching those left behind by ensuring affordable access to safe surgery for all.
Equitable distribution of timely surgical care and safeguarding the most vulnerable are both essential for the sustained management of neglected surgical diseases in the Western Pacific Region.
Let us carry forward this spirit of shared responsibility and collective conscience, uniting as a nation committed to progress as we strive for a resilient and equitable future.