IMFed Malaysia was launched on March 26, 2012 as a collaboration between Malaysian Paediatric Association and Abbott Malaysia. The first 5 years (2012-2017) revolved around adapting, localising and rolling out a system to identify and manage feeding difficulties pioneered by child psychiatrist Dr Irene Chatoor and paediatric gastroenterologist Dr Benny Kerzner.

The next 5 years (2018-2023) sees the scope expanding to include screening and intervention for growth faltering related to feeding and nutrition issues. This is a timely development in light of data that has revealed an alarming prevalence of poor growth in Malaysia. The National Health & Morbidity Survey 2016: Maternal & Child Health recorded stunting among children below 5 years at 20.7% (an increase from 17.2% in 2006). This was coupled by underweight at 13.7% (12.9% in 2006). The problem was further underscored by UNICEF’s “Children Without’ 2018 study which found stunting at 22% among the urban poor – indicating a performance worse than Ghana despite our superior gross domestic product (GDP) achievements.

In seeking to help prevent poor growth, IMFeD Malaysia now focusses on enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the related areas of:

  1. Measuring and assessing children’s growth status
  2. Identifying risk factors that may impede growth
  3. Managing & optimising children’s growth through appropriate feeding & nutritional interventions

From 2018 onwards, the programme will also mount annual growth promotion campaigns to bring parents and paediatricians together to help children grow better.

To date, the IMFeD Malaysia Expert Panel and Abbott have organised over 40 continuing professional development (CPD) training events that attracted over 2,800 attendees, comprising paediatricians and general practitioners. The programme has also produced and distributed a variety of supporting materials, including guides, toolkits and counselling aids for HCPs; posters and other display items for clinics; as well as educational leaflets, and booklets for parents.

For further information, please contact the IMFeD Malaysia programme secretariat at matters@imfed.my or telephone (+60 12) 284 1628.

IMFeD Malaysia Expert Panel

Professor Dr Lee Way Seah
Senior Professor
University Tunku Abdul Rahman
Honorary Professor of Paediatrics and Paediatric Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist University Malaya Medical Centre

Dr Alvin Khoh Kim Mun
Consultant Paediatrician and
Paediatric Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist
Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu

Dr Anna Padmavathy Soosai
Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist
Prince Court Medical Centre

Assoc Professor Dr Azriyanti Anuar Zain
Consultant Paediatrician & Paediatric Endocrinologist
University Malaya Medical Centre

Dr Cheang Hon Kit
Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist
Hospital Lam Wah Ee

Professor Dr Firdaus Mukhtar
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
University Putra Malaysia

Assoc Professor Dr Norazlin Kamal Nor
Consultant Developmental Paediatrician Pusat Perubatan
University Kebangsaan Malaysia

Ms Khoo An Jo
Chief Dietitian
Hospital Lam Wah Ee

Dr Kok Juan Loong
Consultant Paediatrician
Hospital Umum Sarawak

Professor Dr Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin
Professor of Paediatrics & Senior Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist and Diabetes
University Malaya Medical Centre

Ms Rozanna M Rosly
Clinical Dietitian
UM Specialist Centre

Ms Siti Hawa Mohd Taib
Clinical Dietitian
University Malaya Medical Centre

Dr Thiyagar Nadarajaw
Consultant Paediatrician & Adolescent Medicine Specialist
Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah

Dr Yong Junina Fadzil
Consultant Paediatrician & Paediatric Cardiologist
Klinik Pakar Kanak-Kanak Junina