KOTA KINABALU: From the halls of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Kota Kinabalu to the world’s premier endoscopy stage, Dr James Emmanuel is proving that groundbreaking medicine knows no geographic boundaries.
In a first for Malaysia, he has been selected to represent the country at the prestigious World Cup of Endoscopy, to be held during the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in San Diego, California, next month.
The selection of Dr Emmanuel, 41, from Kuala Lumpur, marks not only Malaysia’s debut in the competition but also a proud moment for everyone.
“It is a tremendous honour and privilege, not just for me, but also for my hospital, Sabah and Malaysia,” said the consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist, who has served at QEH for the past 11 years.
The World Cup of Endoscopy, which features only eight top submissions from around the globe, showcases the finest in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.
Selected entries are judged by an international panel of experts, with gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the top three.
Dr Emmanuel’s entry was a video featuring a life-saving and unconventional endoscopic procedure performed in August last year at QEH.
“The procedure we performed had never been attempted before, and our approach was entirely unconventional.
“We carried it out as a life-saving measure, but also chose to submit it as an educational video to introduce this approach as a potential option for patients with similar conditions,” he said.
The idea behind the treatment was conceived through a collaborative discussion with a hepatobiliary surgeon and an interventional radiologist, a testament, he said, to the strength of interdisciplinary teamwork in Sabah’s healthcare system.
“Together we conceived the idea,” Dr Emmanuel told The Star, adding that it highlighted the importance of collaborative teamwork in overcoming treatment challenges.
The significance of this achievement extends beyond medical circles.
At the competition, Dr Emmanuel will wear the traditional Kadazan attire, the Gaung, as he takes the stage, reflecting Sabah’s cultural heritage alongside Malaysia’s medical excellence.
“This is the final stage. Whether I win or not, being shortlisted among the world’s best is already a major achievement.
“To compete against renowned institutions like Johns Hopkins and AIG India is no small feat,” he said.
His participation at DDW, an event attended by over 20,000 global delegates, not only places Malaysia on the international map for medical innovation but also elevates the visibility of Malaysia’s contributions to healthcare.
“To be the first Malaysian in such a prestigious competition is a milestone I hold with great pride.
“I am deeply grateful to my late mother, who passed away a few weeks ago.
“She was my greatest source of support throughout my life and career, and this achievement is as much hers as it is mine. She was my everything,” said Dr Emmanuel.
He described the competition as an incredible platform to showcase new ideas and hopes it will inspire young gastroenterologists in Malaysia to innovate and push boundaries.
“By encouraging innovation and sharing knowledge, we can help strengthen our healthcare system and create a culture where we are always striving to improve.
“Ideally, the outcome of our case could lead to better diagnostic tools and treatment options, ultimately making a real difference in patient care and helping to put Malaysia on the map as a leader in therapeutic endoscopy,” he said.
