PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
Biomedical Engineering
PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
When Institut Jantung Negara ( IJN ) announced recently that it made history as the first hospital in the ASEAN region to implant a Micra AV pacemaker for the treatment of slow heart rate , it spells the power of biomedical engineering in developing this state-of-the-art medical device . It is through biomedical engineering innovation that the Micra AV pacemaker was reduced to the size of a vitamin supplement capsule enabling the implant through a minimally invasive procedure , eliminating the need for extensive surgery .
Biomedical engineers work with medical professionals to design and develop advanced healthcare technology . Their early inventions such as mechanical ventilator , electrocardiograph , artificial heart , kidney dialysis have improved medical services to a large extent as life saving devices . Presently , there are expectations of greater access to affordable , safe and efficient medical devices as society is getting more affluent . In this context , more biomedical engineers will be expected to be involved in the integration of new medical devices and treatments into coherent health-care programmes that require comprehensive professional skills .
Biomedical engineering is a fast-growing field with emerging technologies such as gene editing , bioinformatives and neuroengineering leveraging on 4IR and digitalisation to break new frontiers in producing precision medical devices . To this end , I am happy to note that the are several
local universities offering biomedical engineering programmes to supply sufficient talent to meet industry demand .
It is important that Malaysia possess sufficient competent Biomedical Technical Personnel ( BTP ) for the maintenance of medical equipment to ensure the safety of patients . The article on ‘ Competency of BTP ’ examines its role in relation to the standard of BTP as well as the prerequisite conditions of the medical device industry if Malaysia is to be recognised as a medical equipment producer .
The field of biomedical engineering is revolutionising the healthcare landscape by continually innovating more sophisticated medical equipment in treating complex health issues in a more efficient way . The article on ‘ Biomedical Engineering shapes healthcare and life ’ provides further insights on the advances made in X-ray , MRI , artificial organs , robotic surgery system and AI that are changing the landscape of modern medical treatment .
Health and safety remain the main concern of BEM for the engineering services provided by registered engineers . Biomedical engineers are gaining significance in tandem with the advancement in the medical field .
Datuk Ir . Ahmad Redza bin Ghulam Rasool President , BEM
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