Background
The Malaysian Association for Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery (MATCVS) is the only professional organization that represents the views and interests of all Malaysian cardiothoracic surgeons. Formed in the 1990s, the MATCVS membership includes surgeons in private practice, academia (universities), the public sector (Ministry of Health units) and at the National Heart Institute, IJN. Eminent past presidents of the society include Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Yahya Awang and Dato’ Dr Azahari Yakub.
The MATCVS has organized a successful annual scientific meeting with renowned invited international faculty since 1998 and a postgraduate review course since 2010. In 1993 and again this year 2012, the MATCVS will be the organizer and host of the prestigious Association of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (ATCSA) annual scientific meeting.
The principle aim of the MATCVS is to be a forum for discussion of pertinent professional matters, co-ordinate the activities of local practising cardiothoracic surgeons and to promote the art and science of cardiothoracic surgery in Malaysia, regionally and internationally by networking with fellow societies worldwide. Through its subcommittees of the Malaysian Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (MBCTS), the MATCVS is leading the way in developing a certified structured national postgraduate training programme in cardiothoracic surgery. The MATCVS also advises governmental policy makers on relevant healthcare issues including credentialing and accreditation of cardiothoracic specialists via the National Specialist Register.
The MATCVS is currently in the process of establishing evidence based local clinical practice guidelines for a number of procedures including coronary revascularization, thoracic surgery and various vascular procedures. Regular updates on all activities of the Executive Council and MATCVS in general can be found on this website and in the society’s newsletter Berita MATCVS, which is published two times a year.