Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Sabah

RESPIRE partners convened in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia for the 2025 RESPIRE ASM

Group photograph of ASM delegates

RESPIRE collaborators from RESPIRE’s eight partner countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK) as well as New Zealand and the USA gathered in Sabah, Malaysia to share project updates, discuss research priorities and strengthen collaboration to improve global respiratory health.

Meeting local stakeholders

The ASM kicked off on the 27 July, with an officiating speech by Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah – Deputy Director General (DDG) of Health (Research & Technical Support), Ministry of Health Malaysia, and an officiating ceremony led by local warriors with a traditional Sabah gong to mark the start of the ASM.

Stakeholders and community members who journeyed from across Malaysia to attend the ASM were given an opportunity to meet the teams working on RESPIRE’s world-leading research projects at a networking and research poster presentation session. Dignitaries in attendance included:

  • Dr Abdul Marsudi bin Manah – Acting Deputy State Health Director (Public Health), Sabah State Health Department
  • Dr Nirmal Kaur – Sabah NCD Head Unit
  • Professor Dr Sanjay Rampal – Executive Director of the Department of Research Development, Office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Universiti Malaya
  • Professor Dr Rukman Awang Hamat – Deputy Dean Research and Internationalisation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Stakeholders viewing research posters

A shared learning session on policy engagement was opened by Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, who delivered an insightful presentation, sharing tips and advice for health researchers looking to engage with policy.

Next, a panel discussion was moderated by Siân Williams, with panellists Siti Nurkamilla Ramdzan, Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman and Amina Khan who explored strategies from RESPIRE teams for effectively bridging the gap between research and its application in real-world settings.

Norita Hussein then shared a case study of activities taking place in Malaysia as part of the multi-country study, Identifying Policy Priorities for Tobacco control and Air quality: Stakeholder engagement in RESPIRE countries (IPPTA).

Learning, networking and paving ways forward

Over the course of the ASM week, a diverse crowd of RESPIRE partners, including academics, medics and specialists convened to share updates and network. A programme packed with presentations, lectures, posters and stalls enabled delegates to learn about the latest news from RESPIRE projects, and plans ways forward.

This year’s keynote lecture, “Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Respiratory Care in Malaysia: Realities, Challenges and Opportunities” was delivered by Dr Hema Yamini Devi Ramarmuty of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. While the presentation was specific to UHC in Malaysia, many of the themes, challenges and opportunities explored could be recontextualised to other contexts.

Delving further into the topic of UHC, a plenary discussion was moderated by Liz Grant, who was joined by Rumana Huque and Hani Salim on stage, and by Sarah Rylance online, from the NCD Management Unit, WHO Geneva.

These sessions were followed up by visits to local health care facilities, where delegates met with healthcare delivery teams to learn about the challenges and successes specific to both regional and metropolitan clinics. A special thanks to Klinik Kesihatans Luyang, Telipok, Putatan and Kinarut.

Interactive presentations and networking

Throughout the ASM, delegates had the opportunity to meet with representatives from every RESPIRE activity. 32 posters showcased RESPIRE’s research projects, covering studies into infectious disease, non-communicable disease, preventable risk factors and the impact of climate on health.

RESPIRE’s supporting and translational platforms showcased their cross-cutting activities to address global challenges during the Platform Stall session. Delegates discovered how the platforms connect disciplines, regions, and expertise to enhance research and support collaboration, innovation, and influence to strengthen and amplify the impact of our research.

Poster and stall abstracts can be viewed via the ASM Resources page linked at the bottom of this page.

Newly launched resources

We were delighted to launch two new key resources at this year’s ASM.

Visual-Based Research: Photovoice as an Exemplar is your step-by-step companion for applying the Photovoice methodology in global health research.

Developed collaboratively by RESPIRE partners across Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, and Pakistan, this toolkit provides practical guidance for researchers, community health workers, and organisations aiming to co-create knowledge with communities; not just about them.

Photovoice images and text reading "Visual-Based Research: Photovoice as an Exemplar, a toolkit for global health research

Developed by Platform IV - Digital Health and Innovation, this online resource is a repository of resources and courses developed by RESPIRE, with social media capabilities - including ability to share updates, links and photographs, as well as direct messaging and calls.


Making headlines in Borneo

The following news items were published in local news outlets, following the ASM Press Conference.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to an excellent ASM in Sabah

RESPIRE would like to express their deepest gratitude to all who participated in this year’s ASM. A further thanks to the following teams who were pivotal to successful organisation and delivery of the event:

  • RESPIRE Malaysia team, led by Professor Ee Ming Khoo, Adjunct Professor Lee Wai Khew and Dr Jayakayatri Jeevajothi Nathan
  • RESPIRE Core Team, led by Dr Dominique Balharry
  • Sri Pelancongan, Sabah Tourism and Hello Sabah Events
  • Hilton Kota Kinabalu
  • Sabah Convention Bureau

 

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