KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Health Department has welcomed its new director, Dr Maria Suleiman, who brings along decades of experience and a distinguished record of managing health crises.
Previously serving as the deputy state health director (public health), Dr Maria is well-regarded for her expertise in epidemiology and crisis response.
A graduate of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), she earned her medical degree in 1990 and completed her Master’s in Community Health six years later.
Throughout her career, Dr Maria has played a pivotal role in strengthening disease surveillance, preparedness, and emergency response in Sabah and beyond.
She has been instrumental in handling multiple health crises, including the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the aftermath of the 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion.
Her leadership was also crucial during the 2015 Mount Kinabalu earthquake and the Malaysian Field Hospital operations in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh in 2018, where she coordinated medical relief efforts.
Dr Maria’s commitment to public health was further demonstrated in 2019 when she led the response to the Sungai Kim Kim chemical contamination incident in Johor.
Her ability to manage large-scale health emergencies culminated in her appointment as the head of the National Crisis Preparedness Response Centre (CPRC) during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In this role, she oversaw essential aspects such as data management, quarantine protocols, humanitarian assistance, and risk communication, contributing significantly to Malaysia’s pandemic response.
In addition to her crisis management credentials, Dr Maria has extensive experience in laboratory operations, having been involved in the management of testing at the National Public Health Laboratory from 2022 to 2023.
Her leadership in public health services continues to benefit communities across Sabah, addressing key health challenges in the state.
Internationally, Dr Maria represents Malaysia in various Asean forums, including the Asean Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Network and the Asean Disaster Health Management initiatives.
Her contributions to biosafety and biosecurity programmes have further solidified her reputation as a regional health expert.
Dr Maria, who replaces outgoing director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna, who retired early this month, is also a respected researcher and educator.
Her published work on topics such as tetrodotoxin poisoning and paralytic shellfish poisoning in Sabah reflects her dedication to advancing medical knowledge.
She has shared her expertise as a part-time lecturer at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Kota Kinabalu Allied Health Science College, nurturing the next generation of health professionals.
Her appointment as the department’s director marks a new chapter for public health in the state, with her extensive experience and proven leadership promising to drive continued improvements in health services, crisis response, and disease management.
