Cross border learning: Malaysian delegate gains new perspectives

In November, St John WA hosted a delegate from Malaysia visiting for a study tour of Emergency Stream operations. 

Kuyilan Muthusamy works for the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) as the Assistant Medical Officer for a public hospital in Kuala Lumpur, and has volunteered for St John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) for more than five years across ambulance and outreach services.

Kuyilan, or Lan as he is known, has recognised the similarities and differences between the organisations – both operationally and clinically – as well as those between the health systems in which ambulance services play a key role.

In Malaysia, SJAM supports government-funded ambulance and pre-hospital care services which sit under the MOH.

SJAM delivers emergency and non-emergency medical transfer, support to humanitarian projects, community engagement programs and first aid training services.

Red Crescent/Red Cross Malaysia also operates in the space, further supporting MOH’s ambulance services, particularly in the high-demand metropolitan centre of Kuala Lumpur.

Lan’s study tour came about after a MOH colleague completed a study tour with Hato Hone St John NZ and suggested doing the same with St John WA. 

So far, he’s found the opportunity beneficial.

“I have started comparing, from my short exposure to all the frontline services and supporting infrastructure. I can imagine implementing some of the things I’ve learned back in Malaysia,” he said.

From a ride-along with a Clinical Lead (which included visits to RPH and PCH), to a tour of the State Control Centre (SCC) and face to face presentations with numerous operational and support teams, Lan has been absorbing the way St John WA works and has already identified many opportunities for improvement back home.

This includes the value of a centralised Fleet workshop.

“One workshop for all vehicle and equipment maintenance is much easier to manage,” he said.

“Doing the maintenance yourself, rather than dealing with a third party or vendor.”

Lan’s learnings continued on-road, where he was impressed with the availability of – and access to – clinical single responders for crews requiring additional support.

By contrast, in Malaysia clinical support is largely only available over the phone.

St John WA’s established and easily accessible Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), and the autonomy clinicians are availed when applying them, was also a point of difference which impressed Lan, as the concept of established CPGs is in its infancy in Malaysia – let alone any platform as advanced or practical as the Clinical Resources app.  

“I’m really looking forward to bringing back this knowledge to Malaysia to start developing… for the betterment of pre-hospital care services.”

When asked what he enjoyed most about the experience so far, it was the people he’d met.

“The teams have been so friendly, sharing their guidance and input with no specific limit,” Lan said.

“They go above and beyond.” 

He was surprised and excited to discover the variety of healthy food options on offer in Perth.

“The food is so healthy compared to Malaysia,” he said.

While Lan hasn’t yet watched the sun set over Cottesloe, he is looking forward to relaxing and doing some ‘touristy’ stuff later in the week.

But his priority while here is to learn as much as he can.

“I only have one week so I want to maximise my time… and take my learnings and lessons back to Malaysia,” he said.