Emergency medicine in Malaysia

The concept of emergency medical health care systems in Malaysia has existed since the 1950s. As in other countries in Asia, their functions and important contributions to the overall healthcare system have been much underestimated compared to other specialties. Historically, the concept of prehospital care management was almost non-existent and the casualty (accident & emergency department) was considered as a dumping place for under-performed medical officers. Postgraduate training in Emergency Medicine in Malaysia is still at its infancy and a lot more effort is required to improve the training program. The establishment of a structured residency training program and certified emergency physicians have revolutionized the emergency services that were neglected for so many years. Many challenges have been encountered since the start of the first program but each of the problems was tackled with great enthusiasm. It is hoped that in time Emergency Medicine and emergency health care in the country would be placed equal or even higher than any other specialty.