Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah

Member of the transitional High-Level Council

MD (UKM), MS (UKM), FAMM (Malaysia), FRCP (London), Hon. Causa MD (Newcastle upon Tyne), FAFPM (Malaysia), FICD, Hon. DM (MSU), FRCS Ad Hominem (Edinburgh), Hon. Ph. D. (NUM), FISS (ISS)

Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah is a distinguished Senior Consultant Surgeon in Breast and Endocrine Surgery with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. He served as the Director General of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, from March 2013 to April 2023.

Before that, he was the Deputy Director General of Health (Medical) from January 2008 to February 2013. Dr Hisham is widely recognized for his expertise in breast and endocrine cancers and has numerous published papers and textbook chapters on endocrine surgery.

He completed his Master of Surgery and Medical Degrees from the National University of Malaysia (UKM). In addition, he underwent rigorous training in breast and endocrine surgery under the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Fellowship training program.

Over the years, he has become a prominent figure in global health, with vast experience in the World Health Organization (WHO) and as a Board Member of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).

He completed his 2017-2021 term as a Councillor-at-Large on the Executive Board of the International Society of Surgery (ISS) and Chair of the Global Surgery Committee of ISS. Currently, he is the Chair of the WHO Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (SCHEPPR) and Chairman of the Asian Association of Endocrine Surgeons.

Dr Hisham has received numerous accolades for his exceptional contributions to healthcare. Most notably, he was awarded the prestigious Fellowship Ad Hominem of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Dr Hisham is passionate about promoting universal healthcare coverage to marginalized communities and bringing personalized healthcare back to the community through patient-centered care and creative innovation.