KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — Patient-centred care must remain the foundation of health service delivery while innovation must be based on compassion to ensure that mothers and their families receive the best care, said Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The Prime Minister’s wife said that excellence in maternal healthcare should not be measured solely based on clinical outcomes but also include aspects of dignity, respect and emotional support given to mothers and their families throughout the pregnancy and birth process.
He said that while innovation continues to change the medical landscape, the human touch remains essential in patient care.
“Innovation alone is not enough, it must be accompanied by compassion. The way you treat patients is important.
“Excellence is not only measured by clinical outcomes but also assessed through the dignity, respect and support we provide to mothers and their families as they go through some of the most important moments in life,” he said at the launch of the 16th Malaysian Obstetric Anaesthesia Symposium (MyOASym) 2026, here, Friday.
Wan Azizah said the increasing complexity in maternal healthcare, including cases involving advanced pregnancy, obesity, complex heart problems and obstetric haemorrhage, requires highly skilled health professionals and stronger multidisciplinary collaboration.
He called for the wider implementation of regular multidisciplinary simulation exercises involving anaesthetists, obstetricians and neonatologists to strengthen teamwork and the level of preparedness in handling high-risk situations.
“By institutionalizing an early warning system and fostering a work culture that prioritizes clear communication, we are able to effectively handle high-risk situations and turn potential crises into success stories in overcoming challenges.
“Let’s move as a team, sometimes we work separately or in silos, and such practices are not very helpful,” he said.
The Bandar Tun Razak MP also advised the younger generation of healthcare professionals to always be curious and committed to lifelong learning, seek guidance, not be afraid to ask questions, continue to learn from clinical experiences and cultivate empathy alongside technical skills.
Wan Azizah also welcomed the participation of healthcare professionals from all over Malaysia as well as Singapore, Hong Kong and Pakistan in the two-day symposium.
— BERNAMA
