Prof. Chong-Kin Liam

Prof. Liam

I came to know Prof. Liam personally in 2002 when I joined the Respiratory Division of the Department of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre as a trainee in respiratory medicine. I felt so privileged to be associated and mentored by an icon whose name is so well recognised in the respiratory circle of Malaysia.

Prof. Liam completed his undergraduate medical degree in 1980 at Malaysia's oldest university (the University of Malaya) and went on to obtain his postgraduate qualification of MRCP (UK) in 1984. After that, he took a special interest in respiratory medicine. Today, he is widely acknowledged as one of the pioneers who has helped to transform respiratory medicine into an important sub-specialised discipline in Malaysia.

During his earlier career, respiratory medicine was equated with tuberculosis medicine. While tuberculosis remains an important disease to reckon with for Malaysia, he has expanded the horizon of this sub-speciality to include other important respiratory disorders. He shall be credited for the efforts in turning the respiratory medicine discipline from one that was less popular to one that is well recognised, attractive and promising.

With the input of other experts in the field, he has also developed an examination format and a structured training programme for physicians who are interested to sub-specialise in this field. Apart from this, he also plays a key role in the setting up of the postgraduate training programme in internal medicine, the Master of Internal Medicine training programme in Malaysia.

Prof. Liam is a prolific writer and a keen researcher. This is testified by the numerous publications in various scientific journals/proceedings/books. His articles have been widely cited by many other authors and presenters. Besides, he is a much-sought-after speaker in the region for various respiratory disorders.

In the second half of his career, he has turned his focus on improving the standard of care for patients who suffer from a once deadly and devastating disease - lung cancer. Through his initiatives in disseminating the knowledge and skill to manage this disorder, the treatment landscape has improved remarkably throughout the years in this country. He has been regularly invited by many companies or organisations to advise them on matters related to lung cancer in the region.

Although he has often humbly claimed that administration is not his forte, he had still been elevated to the position of Deputy Dean in charge of postgraduate training in the Faculty of Medicine and was a member of the Senate in the University of Malaya. This is certainly a testimony of his capability and vast experience in training.

Despite his many commitments and responsibilities, he has never shirked his duty as a clinician. He is often seen in the ward and clinic attending to the needs and suffering of his patients, irrespective of their background and social class. This dedication has earned him many well-deserved accolades from his patients and multiple excellence service awards.

Prof. Liam is also very actively involved in professional societies and non-governmental organisations. He has established a well-connected network with many regional and international societies, such as the APSR, ERS, ATS and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). Of note, he was the congress president of the 8th Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR Congress 2003) held in Malaysia, chairman of the scientific committee for the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease – Asia-Pacific Region Conference 2007 held in Kuala Lumpur, and co-chairman of the organising committee for the 2014 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Asia-Pacific Lung Cancer Conference. He was entrusted to lead the Lung Cancer Assembly of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology from 2016 to 2019.

On the local front, he was the Council Member and then the President of the Malaysian Thoracic Society from 2001 to 2009. Besides, he is also one of the founders of the Lung Foundation of Malaysia in which he still serves as a Trustee.

It is time to pay tribute to Prof. Liam to exemplify his contributions and dedication to the field of respiratory medicine.