Meet Dr Anis, The Heart Behind Pediatric Intensive Care at Sunway Medical Centre

10 February 2025

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear white coats and dedicate their lives to saving children. Meet Dr Anis Siham binti Zainal Abidin, a paediatric intensivist at Sunway Medical Centre, whose passion for healing critically ill children is matched only by her unwavering compassion. 
With years of experience and a deep-rooted commitment to her young patients, Dr. Anis is not just a doctor—she’s a lifeline for families facing their toughest battles.

A Passion for Paediatric Intensive Care

Dr Anis’s journey into medicine wasn’t just about choosing a career, it was about following a calling. Inspired by her father, she always had an interest in science and helping others. 

“It was during my time volunteering at a children’s hospital that I truly found my purpose,” she says. Witnessing the resilience of young patients and the dedication of the medical teams solidified her desire to become a doctor. 

 While she initially had a broad interest in paediatrics, it was the intensity and high-stakes nature of paediatric intensive care that drew her in. The complexity of critical illnesses, the need for rapid decision-making, and the opportunity to support families through some of their most challenging moments made PICU her ultimate calling.

“I am humbled to be able to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children and their families during times of crisis. This is what ultimately inspired me to pursue this specialized path.”

The Doctor Every Parent Hopes For

What sets Dr Anis apart isn’t just her clinical expertise, it’s her ability to connect with families during their most difficult moments. “Anyone who has had a sick child knows how terrifying it can be,” Dr Anis says. “It’s my job to make them feel at ease, to calm the parents during those times. 

Fluent in both English and Bahasa Malaysia, she ensures that parents fully understand their child’s condition, explaining complex medical terms in a way that brings comfort rather. Her ability to combine science with empathy makes her a standout in her field. 

Training the Next Generation of Doctors

Dr Anis’s impact goes beyond the children she treats, she’s shaping the future of paediatric intensive care through medical education. She plays a key role in national training programmes like the PICU Masterclass, PICU BASIC, and the Ultrasound Course (PERCUSS), where she mentors young doctors and nurses, sharing her knowledge and expertise. 

By investing in future healthcare professionals, she ensures that more children across Malaysia receive the best possible care. 

Balancing Paediatric Intensive Care and Motherhood

Despite her demanding career, Dr Anis is also a devoted mother. Juggling life in the hospital with raising her children isn’t easy, but she does it with remarkable dedication. She often finds herself switching between life-saving decisions in the ICU and bedtime stories at home. Her two worlds couldn't be more different yet are equally close to her heart. 

Being a mother has given her a unique perspective when caring for her young patients. She understands the anxiety parents feel, the sleepless nights, and the desperate need for reassurance. 

This shared experience allows her to connect with families on a deeper level, offering not just medical expertise but also the comfort of someone who truly understands their fears and hopes. 

Her children, much like her patients, are at the centre of her world. Whether she’s holding a child’s hand through a difficult procedure or rushing home to tuck her own kids into bed, her love for children is evident in everything she does.

It’s not just about medicine for Dr Anis, it’s about care, compassion, and making sure every child, whether in the hospital or at home, feels safe and loved. Through it all, she remains a course of strength and inspiration, proving that being a doctor and a mother aren’t separate roles, but two sides of the same coin. 

Her Future in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

At Sunway Medical Centre, Dr Anis continues to break new ground in paediatric intensive care. Whether it’s adopting cutting-edge technology, mentoring young doctors, or simply holding a worried patient’s hand, she remains dedicated to making a difference. Her journey is not just about medical expertise, it’s about resilience, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to saving young lives. 

Thank you Dr Anis for your dedication and service to the children and families every day.

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