Merdeka Day 2023: 45 Years in Cardiology

In conjunction with Merdeka Day, we speak to Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin bin Abdul Hamid, one of the country’s pioneering cardiologists who has witnessed milestones like the setting up of Malaysia’s first cardiology department in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, and the first specialist heart centre Institut Jantung Negara. In this conversation, Dr Zainal reflects on 45 years in medicine, including a long stint as former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s cardiologist. 

Look out for more of Dr Zainal’s personal recollections in a book that will be published in the last quarter of 2023, ‘Beyond The White Coat’, along with writings from 20 other veteran medical professionals who graduated from the class of 1973/78, from the Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya. Updates will be posted here.