A PORT Dickson-born 70-year-old grandfather who became a doctor against all odds makes the phrase “Malaysia Boleh!” ring true.  

Demonstrating a “can do” attitude, Toh Hong Keng graduated in medicine from Southwestern University in Cebu, Philippines, an achievement recognised by international media too. 

His wife, children, and grandchildren were also solidly behind “grandpa’s” dream of becoming a doctor. 

Toh proved to older people that age was just a number, and that they should never give up on their dreams.  

His path to success began when he retired at the age of 65 from a career in information and communications technology after having worked for close to 30 years holding top regional positions in sales and marketing at multinationals such as Hewlett-Packard and Welch Allyn.  

He said he was inspired by two young Indian students whom he met during a trip to Kyrgyzstan.  

They told him that in some medical schools, age was not a barrier although tuition fees could be high. 

However, Toh had enough saved up and chose to study in the Philippines in 2019. 

“I had to memorise the entire human anatomy and learn everything distinctively. There was no room for trial and error. In engineering, there was practical learning but when it comes to the human body, one needs to be careful and precise,” he said.  

The Covid-19 pandemic interrupted his studies, causing him to extend his studies by another year. 

“I failed paediatrics in my third year, but the 12-month final year medical clerkship was the toughest. It was the clinical rotation during which medical students work in hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience in patient care,” he said. 

He would work up to 34 hours in a shift during his housemanship, spurred on by much younger peers who called him “Sir Toh”. 

After graduating earlier this month, Toh said it would be difficult to practise in Malaysia as its guidelines were more stringent compared to India and other regional countries. 

In India, one year of housemanship and a final examination is required before one can be qualified but in Malaysia, it is two years plus the tough examination. 

Toh currently resides in Hong Kong and may be 75 by the time he becomes a full-fledged medical practitioner, which might be daunting for him.  

He plans to write a book on nutrition and weight management with another doctor. 

“Perhaps I can just be a cough and cold doctor. The basics of medical care. At least, I now know how to treat my own ailments and that of my family.” – July 22, 2024.