An IMU Chiropractic Alumnus, Dr Wong Yi Kai, is one of the appointees to a new World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) Public Health Committee (PHC). The appointees were announced by WFC following a call for applications, which generated an unprecedented response. Dr Wong Yi Kai graduated from the International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia as part of the pioneer cohort of chiropractic students in 2014 and completed his MSc in Public Health from the same university in 2019. He has been actively participating in the development of Chiropractic in Malaysia by being involved in the Association of Chiropractic Malaysia, Federation of Complementary Natural Medical Association Malaysia, World Federation of Chiropractic, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division, Malaysian Ministry of Health. Dr Wong Yi Kai believes that everyone should benefit from chiropractic care. Most people perceive chiropractic care as a treatment option for pain management, but in fact, it is more than that. Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to health maintenance and wellness care. To improve public awareness on the restoration of natural spinal alignment, he often uses an analogy that describes the importance of regular car maintenance service, to help the public to relate better. Apart from that, Dr Wong Yi Kai hopes to provide affordable and evidence-based chiropractic care to the community. Dr Wong Yi Kai has also made significant contributions to World Spine Day in Malaysia by organising several public health campaigns. In 2017, he was honoured by IMU with an achievement award titled “Innovation in Community Service”.
| About World Federation of Chiropractic Public Health Committee |
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| According to the World Health Organization (WHO), public health refers to all organised measures (whether public or private) to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life among the population. The WFC was admitted into official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) since 1997 to advise on matters related to the Chiropractic profession and is the only Chiropractic body that has an official relation with WHO as a non-state actor. In 2005, WHO developed a Guideline on Basic Training and Safety in Chiropractic to facilitate the qualified and safe practice of Chiropractic as well as the public and patients. For over 30 years, WFC has been at the forefront of the global development of chiropractic. Representing the interests of the profession in over 90 countries worldwide, WFC has advocated, defended, and promoted the profession across its 7 world regions. These WFC Principles set out who they are, what they stand for, and how chiropractic as a global health profession can impact nations so that populations can thrive and reach their full potential. The principal objectives of the Public Health Committee (PHC) are to advise the WFC Board on matters related to public health and to provide information to individuals and communities served by Chiropractors globally. The PHC is also responsible for implementing activities, public health campaigns and activities that is aligned with WFC’s and WHO’s priorities. In the past, PHC has issued position statements on Healthy Ageing, Opioid Overuse, and Women’s, Adolescences’ and Children’s Health. In 2022, the PHC ‘s campaign is advocating Chiropractors’ promotion of physical activity in support of the release of WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour. |
