“Don’t wait for the right opportunity; create it.”- George Bernard Shaw
By Dr Nuryuziliana Dolmat, MOG
MFM Specialist, ICOE Trainer
(Published in AOFOG Newsletter April 2023, Volume 2/2023)
Motherhood care has always been the priority of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology fraternities all across the globe. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all women experience safe pregnancy and childbirth, resulting in healthy babies as all mothers are worthy of this wonderful journey. Sharing and learning experiences in handling obstetric emergencies had been the main objective in the Intensive Course of Obstetric Emergencies (ICOE). With the collaboration and close cooperation between OGSM, AOFOG and Nepal Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (NESOG), the ICOE team had successfully organized a two-day pre-congress course in conjunction with the XVIth International Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal.
After a 3-years hiatus due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Malaysian ICOE team was presented with the opportunity to conduct the course from 29th until 30th March 2023, which took place in Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital Kathmandu, Nepal. I was very fortunate to be part of the team with 4 other esteemed trainers – Dr Thaneemalai (ICOE course director), Dr Ahmad Shuib (Team leader), Dr Khoo Kong Beng, Dr Sim Wee Wee and the great Mr Baskaren, the admin liaison who is also the expert in equipment and mannequin handling. The opportunity that was rendered to me was priceless as this was my first ICOE training in a foreign country, Nepal, and even more so as we are in the holy fasting month of Ramadhan. Being the lone girl in the group, I was well guarded by those 5 gentlemen throughout the whole journey.
The Malaysian team met up in KLIA on 27th March evening for the first time. The check-in process and immigration clearance went smoothly. Everyone was geared up; equipment and mannequins ready, looking forward to organizing the course again after the 3 year lapse. The 4-hours flight felt like an eternity as Dr Ahmad Shuib and I eagerly waited for the time to break our fast. The whole team was really sweet and thoughtful enough to patiently wait for us to break our fast, together as a team. We finally had nasi beriani and quenched our thirsts with nice cups of hot teh tarik. Landing took place in Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu at around 8pm (local time). Things took a turn when my visa was denied, and we were stranded in Nepal immigration for about 2 hours. Feeling tired and weary, we anxiously waited, and our prayers were answered when the local authority was fast enough to settle the hiccups until I finally cleared the immigration gate. After being stressed out by the episode at the airport, Dr Thanee and Mr Baskaren were kind enough to bring us for a feast of delicious local cuisines before heading to our hotel. We continued our journey thereafter, stomachs full and happy faces at almost the stroke of midnight. The whole team checked-in at Lavine Residence and had a well-deserved rest after the long journey, anticipating an exciting adventure the day after will bring.
Malaysian ICOE team in KLIA : from left – Mr Baskaren, Dr Thanee, Dr Sim, Dr Shuib, Dr Khoo and me
At dawn next day , I joined Dr Thanee and Dr Sim and set off for a brisk walk , strolling along the small town near our hotel. Featuring Himalayan valley as the majestic background, the morning walk was fascinating with local people, the colourful parade of Nepalese flags, narrowed uphill dusty roads, driving school in between buildings, international schools and a small Bajaj ride cramp with school going children.
Serenity of Himalayan Valley
