Dear Members of MPA, friends and colleagues,

Sincere Greetings and Salam Sejahtera!

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted our lives and clinical practice since 11 March 2020. We have gone through 4 waves of COVID-19 virus strains; thanks to the introduction of vaccines in February 2021, we have managed to reduce the mortality rate in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the year, despite rising numbers.

As paediatricians, we need to encourage our patients and their families to have their vaccines and boosters taken promptly. A total of 195,865 children aged 5 to 11, or 5.5% of the child population in the country, have completed their vaccination under the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) as of 12 April 2022. According to the Covid Now website, 1,371,120 children in that age group or 38.6%, have received at least one dose of vaccine. For adolescents aged 12 to 17, 2,863,771 or 92% have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 2,965,625 or 95.3% received at least one dose. Among adults, 15,942,215 or 67.8% have received the booster dose, while 22,958,810 or 97.6% have been fully vaccinated and 23,235,580 or 98.8% received at least one dose.

We need to get more children vaccinated so that as we embark on the road to endemicity, life can go on near the new normal. Our children can enjoy their schooling and outdoor activities with minimal restrictions.

Startup F2F

For the last two years, many clinical teaching activities have been put on hold or conducted via virtual platforms. At the beginning of this year, we see more CMEs being done physically in limited numbers with strict SOPs. This is a healthy sign, and I encourage all the State Subcommittees to conduct CME and CSR activities using the RM5000 grant given by MPA.

MPA is organising the 15th Congress of APPSPGHAN (Asia Pan-Pacific Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) in conjunction with the 43rd Annual Congress of the Malaysian Paediatric Association at Sabah International Convention Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on 12-15 October 2022.

We hope to see most of you there. There is much to catch up on! Come and enjoy the beautiful city of Kota Kinabalu. Please log on to https:// appspghan2022.org/ and register today. Book your flights and hotels.