KUALA LUMPUR: A research team from the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) that made a breakthrough in wound healing with the use of maggots has been conferred the Dr Lee Jong-Wook Memorial Prize for Public Health at the 71st World Health Assembly (WHA).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland made the announcement on Friday (May 25), said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
The WHA president conferred the prize to lead researcher Dr Nazni Wasi Ahmad, from the IMR, for her exemplary contributions in Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT).
It is a type of biotherapy using live, sterile fly larvae or maggots in non-healing wound of a human or animal to remove dead cells and reduce bacterial contamination of the wound and stimulate healing, he said.
“It is a safe, effective and affordable alternative treatment that is available at any time and in any healthcare setting, mainly primary healthcare facilities, to treat diabetic foot ulcers.” said Dr Noor Hisham in a statement