KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — The passing of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at the age of 100 today marks the end of a long life dedicated to medicine, public health, community service and the welfare of society.
Born on July 12, 1926, she was among the early Malay women to pursue medical studies at King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore.
She graduated in medicine in 1955 before joining the government health service.
In 1965, she made history as the first woman appointed as a Medical Officer in Maternal and Child Health.
Nine years later, in 1974, she became the first woman appointed as the Kedah State Maternal and Child Health Officer.
Throughout her career in public healthcare, she focused on improving healthcare services for rural communities, particularly maternal and child health, disease prevention and health education.
She was also actively involved in women’s health and family planning, with attention to the social and economic factors surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.
Her experience and expertise were also reflected in her writings on family medicine and maternal health.
As the wife of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, she used her position to raise awareness of issues including women’s health, education, drug abuse and community welfare.
She also played active roles in various community and charitable organisations, particularly those involving women, children and families.
Her life and career reflected the early participation of Malaysian women in medicine and public service, fields which were largely dominated by men at the time.
After a century of life dedicated in large part to her family, society and country, she died at the National Heart Institute (IJN) this morning.
She leaves behind a legacy as a doctor, community leader, mother and wife of a statesman.
Al-Fatihah.
About The Author
