KUCHING: The Sarawak government has approved the initiation of interventional radiology services at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) to train more specialists in this field.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian explained that the approval includes funding for purchasing catheters and other equipment so specialists can perform these procedures.
He stated that SGH receives around 1,000 stroke cases annually, and that approximately 500 patients will benefit from this service.
“Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved the initiation of interventional radiology services at SGH. This has the potential to save about 500 patients a year,” he said at a press conference after officiating at the 8th Asia Pacific Public Health Conference here today.
“It is an essential service for us to have. Sometimes, someone may suffer an acute stroke, and this service can help them.
“I need to seek permission to provide funding so that this service can begin. I will write (a request letter) to the federal government because health services are still under federal jurisdiction,” he said.
He underscored the importance of this service, citing the case of the Vice-Chancellor of i-CATS University College, Professor Dr. Shahren Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, who passed away due to an acute stroke because this service was not available.
Sim revealed that equipment such as new CT Scanners, high-tech Cardiac Catheterisation Systems, and MRI scanners are available, but there is only one specialist.
“We need to train three more specialists at a training cost of RM100,000 each,” he added.
Sim explained that performing the procedure to remove blood clots from stroke patients requires around RM3.5 million annually.
“This is not just to save a professor, but also someone’s grandfather, father. For example, the late Dr. Shahren, who was 62 years old, could have continued contributing for several more years if he had been saved,” he explained.
At the same time, Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, revealed that the Premier has also approved thrombectomy services for acute stroke.
“Each time a stroke occurs, there are two types: one due to artery rupture and bleeding, the other due to a blood clot. Blood clots need to be removed, and thrombectomy services require around RM3.8 million annually,” he said.
