Spotlighting Young Patients in A Day of Learning, Growth, and Compassion
The highly anticipated Guiding Young Lives, Building Bright Futures: NUMed Paediatrics Conference 2025, organised by the NUMed Paediatrics Society, was all about shining a light on young patients and the critical role clinicians play in their health and well-being.
13 November 2025
Children are our future. What many of us tend to forget is that they are also our present, deserving of care, attention, and understanding. Yet, they often don't have the voice to advocate for themselves when it comes to health challenges. This is where the role of clinicians is vital.
With this in mind, NUMed Paediatrics Society recently hosted its highly anticipated “Guiding Young Lives, Building Bright Futures: NUMed Paediatrics Conference 2025”, shining a spotlight on the crucial role of healthcare professionals in shaping the future of healthcare for our young patients.
The day kicked off with warm and welcoming opening remarks from NUMed Paediatrics Society’s Vice President, Jung Bing Heng Jensen, who commended the society’s efforts to make the field of paediatrics engaging, evidence-based, and human-centred.
The Heart of Paediatrics
Distinguished pediatricians across a range of subspecialities then took the stage to lead insightful talks that captivated attendees. Dr. Premalatha a/p Nadarajah, Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist at Hospital Sultan Ismail opened the day with a thought-provoking session titled “Not Just a Limp: Hidden Clues Behind a Child’s Walk”. The talk explored how a seemingly simple symptom like a limp could actually be a diagnostic goldmine, encouraging attendees to look beyond the surface for subtle diagnostic nuances that can transform the course of treatment and outcomes for young patients.
Dr. Tajul Arifin Bin Tajudin, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist at KPJ Puteri Specialist Hospital and Hospital Sultan Ismail continued the trajectory with “Movements in Children: What’s Normal and What’s Not?”, diving into the fascinating world of childhood motor development. This helped attendees to differentiate between typical developmental milestones and warning signs of potential issues.
Dr. Emieliyuza Yusnita Alias, Paediatric Consultant and Head of Department at Hospital Pasir Gudang then delivered an emotionally resonant talk, “An Introduction to Paediatric Palliative Care”, reminding us of the importance of maintaining dignity and empathy during the end-of-life journey.
Dr. Aina Salwa Kasim, Paediatric Cardiologist from Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru wrapped up the morning with a session on “Approach to a Child with Cardiac Murmur”, offering a practical approach to auscultation and clinical reasoning.
The afternoon transitioned into interactive workshops, allowing attendees to rotate between three stations designed to build clinical confidence, teamwork, and communication. The first, Development Examination, provided a platform for them to assess milestones and recognise abnormal development in children.
The History Taking with Growth Chart Interpretation integrated communication skills with objective assessment techniques. The final station, Difficult Situations: Communicating with Parents, featured role-playing scenarios to help attendees navigate sensitive conversations and practice empathy, compassion, and professionalism. These workshops were an opportunity to practice real-world paediatric skills in a supportive environment.
One of the most memorable moments of the event was when attendees had the chance to interact with children who have cerebral palsy and Down’s Syndrome. This platform gave them a rare opportunity to sharpen their clinical skills in assessing developmental milestones of a child in real life and make a tangible impact on the lives of young patients and their futures, serving as a reminder of how rewarding paediatrics truly is.
A Successful Event
With 59 medical students, educators, and clinicians involved, the event was a resounding success. It brought together a community of people united by a shared passion for child health and paediatric care. Special thanks go to all the morning speakers, our paediatric lecturers, the NUMed Paediatrics Society committee members, and volunteers who helped facilitate the afternoon workshops.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our event partner, ZUS Coffee, for generously offering all attendees a 10% discount as a token of gratitude. Their support helped make this event even more special.
