Dr Mohamad Helmi bin Mohamad Yasim, a second-year Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, was selected as a Student Ambassador for the Global Health Security Conference, representing both Universiti Malaya and Malaysia on an international platform. This is the fourth edition of the Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026), which was held in Kuala Lumpur on 9 to 12 June 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The Global Health Security Conference brought together public health leaders, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students from various countries to discuss current and emerging challenges in health security. The conference provided an important platform for knowledge exchange on strengthening preparedness, resilience, and collaboration in addressing public health threats.
Among the key highlights of the conference were sessions focusing on public health emergency preparedness, One Health, biosafety, laboratory capacity, surveillance systems, regional collaboration, and sustainable health security financing. These discussions emphasised that global health security extends beyond outbreak detection and response. It requires strong health systems, coordinated governance, sustainable investment, and effective collaboration across sectors and countries.
For Dr Helmi, the experience was particularly meaningful as part of his training in public health medicine. It reinforced the important role of public health professionals in preparing health systems for future threats, protecting population health, and ensuring that preparedness and response efforts remain equitable, evidence-informed, and sustainable.
The conference also resonated with Dr Helmi’s current research interest in robotic technology and health system innovation. While robotic-assisted surgery is often viewed as a clinical or technological advancement, its adoption also raises broader public health questions related to cost-effectiveness, resource allocation, accessibility, workforce readiness, implementation feasibility, and long-term sustainability within the healthcare system.
His research on robotic technology in healthcare aligns with the broader agenda of health system strengthening. By evaluating how emerging technologies can contribute to efficiency, resource optimisation, and evidence-informed decision-making, such research supports the development of more responsive and sustainable healthcare systems.
Dr Helmi’s participation as a Student Ambassador reflects the growing importance of integrating public health, medicine, technology, economics, and policy in addressing complex health system challenges. The experience provided valuable exposure to global perspectives on health security and strengthened his commitment to contributing to public health practice, research, and innovation in Malaysia.
Representing Universiti Malaya and Malaysia at the Global Health Security Conference was a meaningful opportunity to engage with global health leaders and to contribute to discussions on building safer, better prepared, and more resilient health systems.
Prepared by: Dr Mohamad Helmi bin Mohamad Yasim
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