The Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (SOEM), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is the pioneer professional society dedicated to the advancement of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Malaysia. Since its inception, the Society has played a pivotal role in shaping occupational health practice, policy, and education in the country.
SOEM has been actively involved in creating awareness and providing structured training for medical practitioners, occupational health practitioners, and industry stakeholders. Through workshops, seminars, conferences, and continuous professional development programmes, the Society has contributed significantly to building national capacity in occupational and environmental health.
The Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (SOEM) had its roots from a resolution that was proposed and passed at the 32nd MMA AGM in Kuching in July 1992 where the House (MMA) resolved to form an Occupational Health Society of the Malaysian Medical Association, approved by the MMA Council and designated as the ‘Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (SOEM), MMA’.
A meeting of doctors with an interest in Occupational Medicine was held on 18th July 1992 at the Holiday Inn, City Centre where the Terms of Reference, Objectives, and Constitution of the society were discussed. A Protem committee was formed, and the Constitution was later approved by the MMA Council, with the launching and Inaugural AGM scheduled for 3rd April 1993.
SOEM was launched and the inaugural AGM held in 1993, followed by a seminar on Occupational Injuries in Malaysia organized by the Protem Committee and co-sponsored by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Ministry of Health (MOH), and Ministry of Human Resources (MoHR).
This occupational health seminar was the first seminar of its kind in Malaysia, attended by 172 participants. Keynote speeches included Dr M.S. Jaya, Protem Chairman, Dato’ Abu Bakar Bin Dato’ Suleiman, Director General of MOH, and Prof. J. Jeyaratnam, Secretary General of ICOH. The Society was officially launched by Dr Tibbs Fernandez, the then President of MMA.
Following the launch, the election of office bearers resulted in the following pioneer committee members:
Committee Members:
Since 1993, SOEM has organized annual seminars and conferences at national and regional levels to raise awareness and promote occupational health. The Society collaborates with government agencies such as the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Human Resources, as well as other stakeholders, to strengthen occupational health standards, support evidence-based practice, and promote safer workplaces across Malaysia.
As the world of work continues to evolve, SOEM aims to:
SOEM aims to remain at the forefront of occupational and environmental medicine, ensuring that worker health remains a national priority and a cornerstone of sustainable development.