Ministry of Health Launches Malaysia’s First Clinical Guidelines on Paediatric Foreign Body Ingestion

News  |     |  

PUTRAJAYA, 28 September 2026 — Responding to the critical and time-sensitive nature of paediatric emergencies, the Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS) has officially launched the nation’s first paediatric surgery Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on the Management of Foreign Body Ingestion in Children.

The new guidelines aim to equip medical practitioners with swift, coordinated, and evidence-based protocols. The launch ceremony was officiated by the Director of the Medical Development Division, YBrs. Dr. Nor Hayati binti Ibrahim, who delivered a keynote address underscoring the importance of standardized paediatric emergency care. She was joined by the Head of MaHTAS, Dr. Syaqirah Akmal, who set the stage for the event.

The comprehensive document was the result of extensive work by a CPG development group, chaired by Dr. Hafatin Fairos binti Tamaddun, consultant paediatric surgeon from Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur, in collaboration with the MaHTAS CPG unit.

In conjunction with the official launch, the Ministry also conducted a Training of Core Trainers (TCT) programme. The intensive session saw the participation of 121 medical specialists from across Malaysia, comprising experts from Paediatric Surgery, Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ORL), Emergency Medicine, and Family Medicine.

The training focused on key recommendations and clinical algorithms outlined in the newly minted CPG. Topics covered included the management of common foreign body ingestions, safe discharge and follow-up procedures, as well as crucial preventative education.

Following the TCT, these appointed core trainers are now tasked with returning to their respective states to conduct “echo-training” sessions. This cascading training model is designed to ensure that frontline healthcare workers nationwide are brought up to speed on the new protocols.

For medical professionals who were unable to attend the inaugural session, the upcoming state-level echo-training programmes will provide further opportunities for upskilling.

The complete e-CPG and its accompanying Quick Reference guide are now available for public and professional access online.