History MOFAS
The Malaysian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (MOFAS) was established in 2012 to unite the nation’s growing number of foot and ankle surgeons and to provide a formal platform for advancing this field as an orthopedic subspecialty. Since its inception, MOFAS has enabled Malaysian surgeons to gain both regional and international representation, strengthening ties with professional societies in Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, China, India, Korea, and Australia. Over the past eight years, the society’s growth has encouraged professional exchange and cooperation across the region, enhancing both clinical practice and research. In collaboration with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, MOFAS has introduced focused educational initiatives and established a standardized fellowship program, including centralized training in selected hospitals and overseas attachments prior to fellowship exit examinations. Currently, foot and ankle services are primarily offered in major institutions, such as university hospitals, large government hospitals, and established private centers, with a long-term goal of extending these services to all major state general hospitals.
MOFAS also plays a pivotal role in fostering continuous professional development through its annual courses for trainees and yearly scientific meetings, while members actively participate in international conferences to promote the subspecialty. Looking ahead, the society faces challenges including navigating insurance regulations, enhancing education pathways, and expanding training opportunities for residents and subspecialists. Increasing collaboration with industrial partners is seen as essential for growth. MOFAS aims to continue evolving alongside regional societies, sharing expertise and ensuring a strong and sustainable future for foot and ankle surgery in Malaysia
History Orthopaedic in Malaysia
Orthopaedic services in Malaysia were established in 1949 with the formation of the first orthopaedic unit at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, shortly after the Second World War (Figure 1). The unit’s inaugural head was Dr. J. A. P. Cameron (Figure 2), a general surgeon who held an M.Ch. Orth. from Liverpool. He was succeeded by Dr. O’Malley in 1952, and subsequently by Dr. Donald Gunn (Figure 3) in 1955.
Dr. Abdul Majid Ismail (Figure 4) became the first locally trained orthopaedic surgeon upon completing his M.Ch. Orth. in Liverpool in 1957. Following Dr. Donald Gunn’s departure to Singapore that same year, Dr. O’Malley returned to lead the unit for an additional two years, until Dr. Abdul Majid assumed the position in 195
Figure 3: Dr Donald Gunn
Figure 4: Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abd Majid Ismail
