Dear all,                                                                                                         

The Vascular Society of Malaysia (VSM) has successfully completed another eventful year filled with various activities and milestones.

The year witnessed an increase in events and a surge in new members. Under the leadership of Datuk Dr. Hanif b. Hussein and later Dato Dr. Benjamin Leong, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, along with university hospitals under their respective heads, has encouraged more surgeons to pursue vascular surgery as a subspecialty. This growing interest has led to an increase in applications from trainees, strengthening the vascular surgery fraternity.

Additionally, the Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Subkepakaran Vaskular Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia was convened after many years to discuss curriculum and syllabus developments, paving the way forward for vascular training in Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur Vascular Access Conference 2024

The main highlight of the year for VSM was the Kuala Lumpur Vascular Access Conference 2024, held at the Connexions Exhibition and Convention Centre in Bangsar South from September 13 to 15, 2024. For the first time, the event was organized in collaboration with Dialysis Synergy (DASY) of Singapore. The conference was a resounding success, with participation from the Society of Dialysis Access (SODA) with a total of 476 attendees from 14 countries.

The event commenced with a pre-conference workshop, featuring both endovascular and ultrasound workshops, which saw the participation of 100 attendees. The scientific program included three plenary talks, 19 symposiums with 76 talks, and 35 free paper and poster presentations. The conference received excellent feedback, with attendees appreciating both the scientific content and the fellowship opportunities. VSM extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Ahmad Rafizi Hariz bin Ramli and his committee for their outstanding efforts in organizing the event.

VSM Monthly Webinar

Following the AGM in March 2024, Dr. Syafiq bin Idris was tasked with reviving the monthly webinar series, which had been highly beneficial during the COVID-19 era. The webinars resumed in August 2024, covering four topics through December 2024. The format was revised, with presentations and chairing duties handled by trainees, fostering increased interaction between senior members and trainees. These webinars attracted surgeons, medical officers, and medical students, contributing to the growing interest in vascular surgery. VSM appreciates Dr. Syafiq's efforts in making this initiative a success.

ASVS Meeting 2024

The ASVS meeting took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 2-5, 2024, and saw strong participation from VSM members, with over 20 attendees. Many junior members presented scientific papers, while senior members contributed as faculty. VSM submitted a bid to host the ASVS meeting in 2027, supported by MyCEB, with financial assistance and promotional materials from Tourism Malaysia. A comprehensive presentation covering scientific and social programs, as well as financial aspects, was delivered at the ASVS Council meeting. Unfortunately, Vietnam won the bid. However, VSM plans to submit another bid for the 2028 meeting at this year’s event in Singapore.

Other Activities and Acknowledgments

In addition to the major events, numerous institutional programs took place throughout the year, including the annual Vascular Month and the HKL Vascular Conference. It was encouraging to see active participation from VSM members across different experience levels, demonstrating a united effort that ensures the society's continuity and growth.

VSM is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of industry partners, who have been instrumental in the society’s progress since its inception. Their contributions have been invaluable, and VSM looks forward to continued collaboration.

Lastly, VSM extends its heartfelt thanks to all members who have worked with the committee to make this year a memorable and successful one. We look forward to another great year ahead.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Naresh Govindarajanthran
President 
Vascular Society Malaysia