The Department of Social and Preventive Medicine (SPM), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, recently hosted an academic discussion with Dr Raja Singh from New Delhi, India. The meeting brought together academics, researchers, and occupational health practitioners to exchange perspectives on emerging issues in occupational and environmental health, with a particular focus on asbestos-related diseases and disease surveillance.
Fostering Collaboration in Occupational and Environmental Health
The discussion was attended by Professor Dr Victor Hoe Chee Wai, Dr Abu Hasan Samad, President of the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia (AOEMM), Dr Priya Ragunath, Chairperson of the Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (SOEM), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), as well as Dr Mohd Ridha Muhamad and Dr Meor Mohd Faisal Meor Zulkifli from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya.
Dr Raja Singh is an Independent Consultant with Pure Earth, an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to addressing pollution and its impacts on human health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. He is a public health researcher with extensive experience in occupational and environmental health, airborne infection control, indoor air quality, and asbestos-related diseases. His recent work has focused on mesothelioma surveillance and the public health implications of asbestos exposure in India. With an interdisciplinary background spanning public health, occupational and environmental health, architecture, and the built environment,
Dr Raja brings a unique perspective to understanding the environmental determinants of health and advancing evidence-informed approaches to disease prevention.
Strengthening Mesothelioma Surveillance and Exposure Assessment
A key highlight of the session was Dr Raja Singh’s work on asbestos-related diseases, particularly the development of a structured history-taking form for mesothelioma patients with potential asbestos exposure. This initiative addresses a critical gap in the systematic documentation of occupational, environmental, and secondary exposure histories among affected patients. Improved documentation can enhance disease recognition, support compensation processes, strengthen surveillance systems, and inform evidence-based policy development.
Participants also discussed emerging evidence of environmental asbestos exposure in Kashmir, India, where naturally occurring asbestos contamination and asbestos-containing waste have raised concerns regarding community-level exposure. These findings reinforce the need to recognise that asbestos-related diseases may arise not only from occupational settings but also through environmental pathways affecting surrounding populations.
Another important topic was the potential association between talcum powder exposure and mesothelioma development. The discussion highlighted the need for continued research into non-traditional sources of asbestos exposure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where exposure assessment and disease surveillance remain challenging.
Relevance for Public Health Research and Practice
The visit provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange on occupational and environmental health research, disease surveillance, exposure assessment methodologies, and potential collaborative initiatives between Malaysia and India. Discussions also emphasised the importance of strengthening awareness and education on asbestos-related diseases among healthcare professionals, researchers, and students.
Asbestos-related diseases continue to pose significant public health challenges globally, often characterised by long latency periods and under-recognition. Research initiatives such as those presented by Dr Raja Singh demonstrate the crucial role of public health research in informing prevention strategies, improving disease surveillance, and supporting policy interventions aimed at reducing exposure and protecting population health.
The Department looks forward to future opportunities for collaboration with Dr Raja Singh in advancing research, education, and policy development related to occupational and environmental health in the region.
Acknowledgement
The Department of Social and Preventive Medicine extends its appreciation to Dr Raja Singh and all participants for their valuable contributions to this academic exchange.
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