UNIVERSITI Malaya’s Faculty of Medicine dean Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman was recently conferred the Doctor of Laws honoris causa (honorary doctorate) by Monash University deputy chancellor Yehudi Blacher in recognition of her outstanding contributions to infectious diseases research and as a health advocate.
“As an alumna of Monash, this makes the award even more meaningful to me,” said the professor who received her medical degree and early professional training from the Australian university.
Reflecting on the early years of her work in the field of infectious diseases, particularly HIV and AIDS, she said: “I am pleased to note the many recent scientific advancements made in improving the quality of health of people affected by the epidemic.
“However, the work is far from over. While the search for a cure continues to gain traction, a vast majority of people and communities affected by HIV and AIDS are still being denied access to lifesaving prevention and treatment services due to attitudes, practices, policies and laws that stigmatise, marginalise and criminalise them.”
Prof Adeeba dedicated the honour to all her colleagues in HIV medicine, research and response sector, as well as people living with HIV and other affected communities for their courage and inspiration.
The dean has carved a niche in the field of HIV and AIDS research throughout her three-decade career, not only as one Malaysia’s foremost medical specialists but also as the leading voice for communities and civil society in the fight for equal access to health for all.
Her role as the Malaysian AIDS Council president was instrumental in the introduction and implementation of the needle and syringe exchange programme and methadone maintenance therapy in 2006, which has since halved new HIV infections among drug-users.
Prof Adeeba served as the council’s president between 2006 and 2010, and is currently the Malaysian AIDS Foundation chairman.
She was a crucial member of the clinical and investigative team of the Nipah Encephalitis outbreak, which led to the discovery of the Nipah virus and two highly prestigious awards – the Tun Mahathir Science Award (2007) and the Merdeka Award (2008).
Prof Adeeba is also on a number of important international committees.
She currently chairs the World Health Organization’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Committee and is a Governing Council Member of the International AIDS Society and the UNAIDS Scientific Expert Panel.
In 2013, she was co-chair of the 7th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, Kuala Lumpur – the world’s largest open scientific conference on HIV and AIDS – with Nobel laureate Francoise Barré-Sinoussi, co-discoverer of HIV.
Last year, she was named one of the 20 most influential Muslim female scientists in the world.
“In the area of HIV and AIDS, Prof Adeeba’s research has not only contributed to new knowledge but also transformed the lives of many in Malaysia who have been afflicted by the disease.
“Her work among those in prisons and marginalised groups in the Klang Valley, especially, has had a positive impact on society. I believe that her research will continue to touch the lives of both people living with HIV as well as their families,” said Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin in his congratulatory message.
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