- Jemilah Mahmood
-
Dr Jemilah Mahmood Nationality Malaysian Occupation First MERCY President Religion Islam Spouse Dr Ashar Abdullah Website http://www.mercy.org.my Dr. Jemilah Mahmood is the President of the Malaysian Medical Relief Society (MERCY Malaysia).MERCY She founded the organization in June 1999;[1] modelled after Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).[2] Through MERCY, she has managed to bring together Malaysians (and some non-Malaysians) from all walks of life with the common goal to serve those in need, irrespective of race, religion, culture or boundary. In 2008, she was one of 16 members appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the Advisory Group of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)[3]
Contents
Education
- Assunta Girls School, Petaling Jaya [4]
- 1986: Doctor of Medicine (MD), National University of Malaysia
- 1992: Masters in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (National University of Malaysia)
- Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (United Kingdom)
She received training in various subspecialties of gynaecology in United Kingdom and USA.
Career
She started her career in Kuala Lumpur General Hospital. She served as a lecturer in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the Medical Faculty UKM until 1995. She also served as a research fellow at the prestigious Tokyo University; as well as a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (United Kingdom) in 2004.
From 1995 to 1998, she was the Treasurer for the Malaysian Obstetrical & Gynaecological Organisation . She was also the Vice President for the Malaysian Menopause Organisation from 1999 to 2000.
As of September 2009, she is an Obstetricians & Gynaecologist at Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Kuala Lumpur.
Shot in Baghdad
In 2003, she was shot in her left hip during a MERCY mission to offer medical relief and supplies to Baghdad hospitals. After dropping off supplies at two hospitals, MERCY’s two vehicles were shot at by some Iraqis who mistakenly thought the ambulances were Syrian after experiencing rocket fire in the villages from alleged Syrian fedayin. The Syrian driver and an Iraqi hospital staff accompanying them were killed in the incident.
Dr Jemilah recalled Dr. Baba telling her he never regretted the incident before his death. Two other doctors suffered injuries. [1]
She said the doctors at Chiwader hospital had wanted to remove the bullet but she did not want to take up their time and medication. She was still walking around with a bullet in her left hip, five days after being shot.[5][6] It was reported then that during those critical moments, she simply dug the bullet from her hip and sewed up the wound herself. It was a big jolt to her as it was then that she realized volunteer work can be very dangerous.
Awards
- 2002: Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) from HRH Sultan Azlan Shah, The Sultan of Perak
- 2003: Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN) from DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong [7]
- 2003: First East Asia Women’s Peace Award - Humanitarian Service category
- 2006: Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award [8]
- 2009: Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) from DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong [9]
Personal
Dr. Jemilah Mahmood is married to Dr. Ashar Abdullah and they have two sons.
Quotes
"I have seen children’s legs ripped apart, so this is nothing compared to what they have gone through" TheStar
"International work is important; people are exposed to what it feels like to be in a country with no peace, or one that is vulnerable to natural disasters. When they return, they just want to kiss the tarmac!" TheStar
"Your accountability is not just to your donor but also your beneficiary. For instance, were your beneficiaries involved in deciding what food to buy? Did they receive it in time? Was there any bias in your distribution? Are you ethical in the way you work? Do beneficiaries have a channel to voice complaints?" TheStar
"It is made possible due to strong family support. I have wonderful husband and children who understand why I have to do all these. My husband and I have a joint practice so we can fill each other's slot whenever it is needed." TheBruneiTimes
References
- ^ 403 Forbidden
- ^ Giving aid with gratitude
- ^ http://ochaonline.un.org/cerf/CERFAdvisoryGroup/tabid/1824/Default.aspx
- ^ http://www.assuntaalumni.com/media/030823.html AssuntaAlumni
- ^ http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/4/18/nation/shaz17b&sec=
- ^ Malaysians released in Iraq - theage.com.au
- ^ http://thestar.com.my/news/list.asp?file=/2003/6/8/nation/kinglis&sec=nation
- ^ MERCY Malaysia Official Website - MERCY Malaysia's Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood Is First Malaysian To Win Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award
- ^ http://mstar.com.my/cerita.asp?file=/2009/9/13/mstar_manusia_peristiwa/20090913084532&sec=mstar_manusia_peristiwa
Categories:- Malaysian Muslims
- Malaysian doctors
- Women physicians
- Living people
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