Govt Should Capitalise On Local Innovation, Says Award Winner

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Dr Fikri Abdullah, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon from Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital should be the happiest man today after winning the Medical Innovation category for The Outstanding Young Malaysian Awards.
However, he was not in the mood for celebration as he felt that his "Made in Malaysia" innovation had yet to be used worldwide.
"I don't have the money to go global with my innovation. The government should take advantage of my innovation and capitalise on the indigenous technology," he told Bernama.
Dr Fikri, 40, has developed an alternative technique of superior vena cava obstruction bypass using bovine pericardial conduit, the first of its kind in the world compared to a common practice using the spiral vein graft.
He carried out the operation successfully on a Sudanese patient at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital in 2002 and the new technique was published in the American Medical Journal.
"I have to find other alternative as his spiral vein graft could not be used," he said in explaining how he came out with the innovation.
"We have a lot of cows in this country and by combining biotechnology and my innovation, I believe we can enhance our country's technology capability," he said.
Dr Fikri said he had approached Malaysian Venture Capital for help in selling his ideas but "it died half way" as there was no follow-up by the body later.
"I feel so frustrated that our own technology cannot benefit people through out the world although the technology has been proven successful," he said.
He cited dedication, passion and discipline as his principles of success.
"I have the passion to continue to improve the treatment of my patients using new techniques and new technology," said Dr Fikri, the father of three children aged between four and 12 years old.
However, all these frustrations did not mean that Dr Fikri did not appreciate the award given by the Junior Chamber International Malaysia.
"I am thankful for the award. I didn't expect to win as there are many contenders. Actually, it was my sister who nominated me for this award. She sent the nomination forms," Dr Fikri said.
Dr Fikri is also known for his off pump coronary artery bypass grafting in a high-risk dextrocardia patient.
"It is the first heart by-pass operation in the world where the heart was still beating and situated on the right side," he said.
Normally, the heartbeat temporarily stops during the by-pass and it is usually situated on the left side.
"It is just like driving a car with the right hand or left hand but you have to adjust the technique. The way we drive is still the same but the technique is different. But performing an operation with the heart still beating is totally a new thing," he said.
The operation was performed on a HUKM pharmacist in 2003.