In this session, Professor Dr. Shahrul Bahiyah presented three compelling cases that vividly illustrated the complex ethical dilemmas inherent in geriatric medicine. The cases served as poignant examples of the intricate decisions healthcare professionals face when navigating the unique healthcare needs of the elderly, emphasizing the delicate balance between medical interventions and the ethical imperative to prioritize compassion and provide additional care. She skillfully underscored the pivotal role of empathy in geriatric medicine, highlighting the importance of understanding not just the medical conditions but also the broader context of an individual’s life.

We were honored to host Dr. Calderon from the Philippines, who shared invaluable insights into the complex challenges associated with caring for critically ill children. Additionally, Dr. Calderon enlightened us on effective strategies for delivering difficult news in pediatric healthcare and navigating challenging conversations.

The panel reviewed the cases discussed during the rounds throughout the year, highlighting important key discussions and takeaway messages.

We were privileged to have Dr Ednin Hamzah and Dr Sylvia McCarthy from Hospis Malaysia to share with us significant ethical issues that are often overlooked in palliative care which may often result in poor clinical decision making and great distress. The event was moderated Dr Mark Tan Kiak Min.

Dr. Aaron Lai, an Emergency Physician at Sarawak General Hospital presented a compelling case that highlights an ethical dilemma encountered when managing a Jehovah’s Witness patient who requires a surgery and blood transfusion. The discussion also covered the complexities surrounding Jehovah’s Witnesses advanced care directives. The event was moderated by Ms Munita Kaur.

Dr Julia, a Rehabilitation Physician presented a case of a young adult with an irreversible and ventilator-dependant condition, and the myriad ethical dilemmas associated with her clinical management . We discussed about the importance of empathetic, patient-centred communication, the role of advance care planning, and the need for tactful communication with family members/caregivers. The event was moderated by Dr Wellester and joined by CEM panel of expert.

An engaging discussion regarding the ethical issues surrounding consent and autonomy of children and adolescents in haematopoietic stem cell transplants, and how physicians and parents can both play an active role in maximising benefits and minimising harms for both recipients and donors.

We discussed clinical ethics dilemmas on resource allocation and at-own-risk discharge in the Emergency Department – with emphasis on how ethical principles of autonomy, non-maleficence and beneficence intersect in daily clinical work. Clinical cases were contributed by registrars from the Emergency Department, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and the event was moderated by Dr Mark Tan.

We are privileged to have Dr Richard Lim, palliative medicine physician and Head of Palliative Unit, Hospital Selayang to share with us two thought-provoking cases on the ethical considerations of autonomy and dissent in clinical practice. We also discussed crucial ethical issues in patients’ discharge planning. The event was moderated by Dato’ Dr Patrick Tan, and was a thoroughly engaging session.

We had an engaging session on ethical considerations of HIV disclosure led by Prof. Dr. Adeeba and moderated by Associate Prof. Dr. Azanna. We explored the law on confidentiality and HIV status and the ethics of HIV status disclosure.

Undocumented patients face multiple barriers when accessing health care in Malaysia. Even when they have managed to reach healthcare facilities, they are faced with the potential threat of persecution, language barrier and high healthcare costs. Frontline healthcare workers, including doctors are often faced with ethical dilemmas when managing undocumented patients. We were glad to have Dr Muhamad Izwan sharing his personal experiences, and the event was moderated by Dr Sharon Kaur.

Dr Nurazah discussed ethical issues in end-of-life care of individuals with Trisomy 21, and the complexity of navigating clinical decision-making with parents and caretakers. The session was moderated by Dr Mark Tan.

On 9th September 2021, CEM organized our first clinical ethics rounds attended by healthcare workers, students and academics. In this session, we discussed frequently encountered examples of moral distress, causes of this phenomenon and professional societies’ role in addressing burnout and promoting well being.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a myriad ethical challenges to the forefront of healthcare. These include public health ethics, dilemmas in the clinical management of COVID-19 patients and considerations related to COVID-19 vaccinations. We welcomed Dr Benedict Sim Lim Heng, Infectious Disease Senior Consultant, Hospital Sungai Buloh as our presenter. This hour-long session focused on the ethical dilemmas encountered in the daily care of COVID-19 patients in Malaysia, especially during the recent surge in patients requiring hospital admission and intensive care.