More than just a doctor's white coat

The Star

It's a privilege and a huge responsibility to wear a white coat.   After 46 years of doing so, a group of  21 doctors from Universiti Malaya’s (UM) class of 73/78 has put together a book titled “Beyond the White Coat” to share their joys and heartbreaks that come with the profession.  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

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00:00It's a privilege and huge responsibility to wear a white coat.

00:06After 46 years of doing so, a group of doctors from University Malaya's class of 1973 till

00:131978 have put together a book to share their joys and heartbreaks that come with the profession.

00:19Edited by consultant cardiologist Dr. Kanan Pasamanikam and Datuk Dr. Zainal Hamid and

00:25consultant gastroenterologist Dr. Madhav Kudwa, Beyond the White Coat is a collection of personal

00:31journeys of 21 doctors from the 10th batch of medical students at UM.

00:37In medicine, we all learn from different masters who have practised the art of knowledge gleaned

00:42from different times.

00:44As medicine progresses and improves, we must be prepared to be brave enough to make the

00:48necessary changes to benefit our patients.

00:51As we conclude this journey through the pages of our collective experiences in the world

00:55of medicine, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the camaraderie, resilience and unwavering

01:00dedication demonstrated by each of my fellow authors.

01:04Two years ago, our endeavour to compile this book seemed daunting, but today we stand together,

01:11testament to the power of perseverance and shared passion.

01:14Our individual paths in medicine were different, yet a common thread bound us.

01:18We have a profound desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

01:23Through the highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations recounted within these pages, we have sought

01:29to encapsulate the essence of our noble profession.

01:33This book is not just a memoir, it is a beacon of inspiration for future generations of doctors,

01:39a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a celebration of the profound connections

01:44forged in the pursuit of healing.

01:49As we bid farewell to these pages, may our stories continue to resonate, guiding and

01:55inspiring those who follow in our footsteps, reminding them of the privilege and responsibility

02:00inherent in the practice of medicine.

02:02Dr. Kannan said at the book launch at UM on Sunday.

02:06Out of the 128 students in the cohort, 26 were women who had to juggle between motherhood

02:12and career.

02:13Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Aziza Wan Ismail, the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,

02:19was also from the same batch but left for Ireland on a scholarship after three months.

02:24In a video speech, the ophthalmologist said the profession demands not only the highest

02:29level of skill and knowledge, but also a sense of compassion and unwavering commitment to

02:34the well-being of others.

02:36For those who have had the privilege of practicing medicine, we know that it is a lifelong journey

02:42that begins long before the white coats even dawned.

02:46For many, it starts with a dream, calling to serve humanity, to alleviate suffering

02:52and to make a difference in the lives of others.

02:55From the early days of medical school, we were challenged to the limits of our endurance

03:01to acquire knowledge and skills, to the long hours spent in hospitals, honing our skills

03:11and learning the art of healing, and the pursuit of medicine is a labour of love fuelled

03:17by dedication.

03:19Many of these 71-year-olds became pioneers in their chosen fields, some even carving

03:24a name for themselves on the world stage.

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