Malaysia presents a unique geographical areas of Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) on the Asian continent and the states of Sabah and Sarawak (East Malaysia) on the island of Borneo. One of the strategic initiatives of the Malaysian Association of Medical Physics (MAMP) is to bridge the professional gap between these two regions to ensure that the medical physics professionals, regardless of their location, have equitable access to high-level training, professional networking, and organisational support.
Recently in July 2026, MAMP conducted its first official activity in Sarawak in partnership with the Medical Radiation Surveillance Branch of the Sarawak State Health Department (JKN), Ministry of Health Malaysia. The programme entitled “Comprehensive Strategy for Radiological and Nuclear Incident Response Workshop”, held from July 23–24, followed by the MAMP Borneo Retreat on July 25. The workshop, held at the Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) Convention Centre in Kuching, successfully gathered 55 participants. This diverse group included medical physicists, radiologists, radiation protection officers (RPOs), and emergency paramedics, reflecting a multi-disciplinary approach to radiation safety.
The program was structured to balance theoretical foundations with practical expertise:
- Day 1: Sessions focused on the incident management, the distinction between safety and security in medical facilities, and the clinical management of radiation-related injuries.
- Day 2: Participants engaged in hands-on simulations, including spill response scenarios and table-top exercises, designed to test and refine real-world coordination strategies.
A pivotal component of the event was the MAMP Outreach Session, where the association’s 25-year history and its future strategic roadmap were shared with local professionals. This session truly captured the Sarawakian spirit of “Segulai Sejalai” (Togetherness), effectively bridging the distance between practitioners in Peninsular Malaysia and their colleagues in Sarawak. The success of this outreach was clearly reflected in the growth of our professional community; MAMP membership in East Malaysia has increased following the workshop.
The event concluded with a social retreat to the Bengoh Dam “Jurassic Park” waterfall in Padawan, Sarawak. This provided a unique setting for informal networking and the strengthening of professional bonds amidst Sarawak’s iconic natural landscape. This successful event has established a new standard for MAMP’s regional outreach. By bolstering local technical preparedness and expanding our professional network in Borneo, we continue our mission to empower the medical physics profession across Malaysia.
