We are delighted to celebrate the successful completion of the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) viva voce by Dr. Mohamad Zulfikrie bin Abas from the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. His dissertation, titled “Patterns and Predictions of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complications Based on the Malaysian National Diabetes Registry,” marks a significant stride in Malaysia’s fight against the growing burden of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

A Data-Driven Study to Combat Diabetic Complications

T2DM is one of Malaysia’s most pressing public health concerns. Despite its prevalence, insights into the progression and complications of the disease have been scarce. Dr. Zulfikrie’s research filled this gap through a rigorous analysis of over 90,000 patient records from the Malaysian National Diabetes Registry, spanning a decade (2011–2021).

His study offers two vital contributions:

Understanding Disease Burden: The research quantified complication rates—such as all-cause mortality, nephropathy, retinopathy, ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and cerebrovascular disease (CeVD)—providing an epidemiological benchmark for Malaysia.
Predictive Modelling: Employing advanced machine learning (ML) methods, including Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), Dr Zulfikrie developed predictive tools to identify high-risk patients. These models achieved promising accuracy, especially for mortality, nephropathy, and retinopathy.

This work not only underscores the clinical utility of big data and ML in Malaysian healthcare but also highlights actionable risk factors, including diabetic control levels (HbA1c, blood pressure, LDL-C), gender, ethnicity, and disease duration.

Celebrating a Journey of Excellence

Dr. Zulfikrie’s academic journey has been marked by distinction. Among his achievements:

Best Oral Presenter Award at the 23rd National Public Health Colloquium 2023
Poster Presentation at the Khazanah Research Institute Forum 2023
International Recognition, including participation at the China-ASEAN Forum on Public Health in Beijing (2024) and acceptance at the 10th International Public Health Conference at UKM (2024)
Peer-Reviewed Publication, further amplifying the academic reach of his research

These accomplishments reflect his unwavering commitment to evidence-based public health innovation.

A Meaningful Contribution to Public Health

The implications of this study are profound. By quantifying the burden and enabling early risk prediction of diabetic complications, the research supports the strategic allocation of resources in primary care. It offers a framework for scaling preventive care across Malaysian clinics and may inform public health policies, especially in under-resourced regions. This is a foundational step toward a more personalised and proactive healthcare system in Malaysia.

Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance and mentorship provided by Dr. Mohamad Zulfikrie Abas’s supervisors, Professor Dr. Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi, Professor Dr. Choo Wan Yuen, and Dr. Kezhi Li, whose expertise and support were instrumental in the completion of his thesis.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Dr. Adam Dunn (University of Sydney, Australia) and Professor Dr. Mas Ayu Said for serving as the external and internal examiners, respectively.

We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including Professor Dr Jamunarani a/p S Vadivelu, Chairperson of the viva voce session; Professor Dr Zulqarnain Mohamed, Senate Representative, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya; Professor Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate Studies), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya; and Professor Dr Victor Hoe Chee Wai, Head of Department, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine.

Congratulations and Looking Ahead

Congratulations, Dr Zulfikrie, on your well-deserved success. Your work exemplifies how rigorous academic research can serve as a catalyst for real-world health impact. We look forward to seeing your continued contributions—whether through policy development, technological innovation, or academic leadership.