Sunway Medical Centre Retains Malaysia's Top Spot In Paediatrics For Three Consecutive Years
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) retained its top spot for paediatrics in Malaysia for three years in a row, according to the latest Best Specialised Hospitals Asia Pacific (APAC) Newsweek 2025 rankings.
SMC, in a statement today, said the country's largest private quaternary hospital ranks 30th for paediatrics and is also featured in the top 75 APAC hospitals for neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, cardiac surgery, oncology and orthopaedics.
President of Sunway Healthcare Group Datuk Lau Beng Long expressed pride for the continued recognition of its healthcare in the region, especially SMC's paediatrics being the top in Malaysia.
He said SMC's Children's Health and Development Centre offers the most comprehensive paediatric subspecialties among hospitals in Malaysia, with 26 subspecialties and 50 consultants.
He added that the hospital also pioneered the nation's first private hospital 24-hour standalone Children's Emergency Department, operating separately from the adult Accident & Emergency Department, serving as a one-stop centre that offers urgent, comforting care for infants, children and adolescents.
'The hospital also excels in exceptional niche paediatric expertise, including haematology, gastroenterology, oncology and transplant medicine. Sunway Medical Centre became the first private hospital in Malaysia to successfully perform a paediatric kidney transplant, yet another testament to its drive for clinical excellence.
'In addition, the hospital continuously enhances the depth and breadth of its other major adult clinical disciplines like cardiology, oncology, neurology, gastroenterology and orthopaedic surgery,' he said.
Meanwhile, SMC Chief Executive Officer Dr Seow Vei Ken said the recognition reaffirms the hospital's commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centred care, especially paediatric services.
'Sunway Medical Centre continues to be at the forefront as Malaysia's top private paediatric service provider, offering a comprehensive ecosystem of specialised care for children,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
d#HEALTH: Natural doesn't mean safe
PRODUCTS which are deemed "all-natural" are generally trusted by consumers due to their perceived connection with nature and the absence of synthetic ingredients. However, the "natural" label does not automatically equate to safety or efficacy and assuming that it does can lead to unintended consequences. For instance, in Malaysia, traditional herbal medicine remains a common practice, where various communities rely on local herbs for their perceived health benefits. While herbal remedies can offer genuine benefits, they are not without risk. Some natural ingredients may interact unpredictably with medications or cause adverse effects when consumed incorrectly. According to a Health Ministry survey, 31.6 per cent of Malaysians were not aware of the possible interactions between traditional and modern medicines. Herbalife director, research development and scientific affairs Asia Pacific, Dr Alex Teo, says licorice root, for example, is often used in traditional remedies and is known for its soothing properties. However, excessive consumption, especially in concentrated supplement form, can lead to elevated blood pressure and imbalances in electrolytes. This underscores the importance of using even well-known natural ingredients with care and informed guidance. To make well-informed supplementation decisions, consumers must have a good understanding of what the word "natural" represents and what it does not. Dr Teo says one common misconception is that natural supplements are inherently safe because they aren't pharmaceutical drugs. "In reality, toxins like arsenic and lead can be found in some plants and consuming them without proper knowledge of dosage can have serious health consequences on the kidney and liver." Some people also mistakenly believe that if something is "natural", it can be taken in unlimited quantities without risk. However, even natural compounds can cause adverse reactions if overconsumed. For instance, fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K can build up in the body and cause toxicity when taken for a prolonged period. Another misconception is that supplements can be taken freely alongside prescription medications. Some supplements, like concentrated green tea extract, can interfere with medications for heart conditions, while garlic supplements might interact with blood-thinning medications, reducing their effectiveness or causing harmful side effects, explains Dr Teo. Hence, it is always important to consult a medical practitioner before starting supplementation alongside regular medication. Most importantly, no supplement can replace a balanced, nutritious diet, stresses Dr Teo. "Whole foods provide a complex combination of nutrients, fibre, and other compounds that supplements cannot replicate." Consulting a healthcare practitioner is vital to ensure the right choices are made based on an individual's health profile and medication regimen, and to avoid any unintended negative consequences as a result of supplement ingredients interacting with ongoing medication.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Natural doesn't mean safe
PRODUCTS which are deemed "all-natural" are generally trusted by consumers due to their perceived connection with nature and the absence of synthetic ingredients. However, the "natural" label does not automatically equate to safety or efficacy and assuming that it does can lead to unintended consequences. For instance, in Malaysia, traditional herbal medicine remains a common practice, where various communities rely on local herbs for their perceived health benefits. While herbal remedies can offer genuine benefits, they are not without risk. Some natural ingredients may interact unpredictably with medications or cause adverse effects when consumed incorrectly. According to a Health Ministry survey, 31.6 per cent of Malaysians were not aware of the possible interactions between traditional and modern medicines. Herbalife director, research development and scientific affairs Asia Pacific, Dr Alex Teo, says licorice root, for example, is often used in traditional remedies and is known for its soothing properties. However, excessive consumption, especially in concentrated supplement form, can lead to elevated blood pressure and imbalances in electrolytes. This underscores the importance of using even well-known natural ingredients with care and informed guidance. To make well-informed supplementation decisions, consumers must have a good understanding of what the word "natural" represents and what it does not. Dr Teo says one common misconception is that natural supplements are inherently safe because they aren't pharmaceutical drugs. "In reality, toxins like arsenic and lead can be found in some plants and consuming them without proper knowledge of dosage can have serious health consequences on the kidney and liver." Some people also mistakenly believe that if something is "natural", it can be taken in unlimited quantities without risk. However, even natural compounds can cause adverse reactions if overconsumed. For instance, fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K can build up in the body and cause toxicity when taken for a prolonged period. Another misconception is that supplements can be taken freely alongside prescription medications. Some supplements, like concentrated green tea extract, can interfere with medications for heart conditions, while garlic supplements might interact with blood-thinning medications, reducing their effectiveness or causing harmful side effects, explains Dr Teo. Hence, it is always important to consult a medical practitioner before starting supplementation alongside regular medication. Most importantly, no supplement can replace a balanced, nutritious diet, stresses Dr Teo. "Whole foods provide a complex combination of nutrients, fibre, and other compounds that supplements cannot replicate." Consulting a healthcare practitioner is vital to ensure the right choices are made based on an individual's health profile and medication regimen, and to avoid any unintended negative consequences as a result of supplement ingredients interacting with ongoing medication.
Malay Mail
14-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Tanoto Foundation Presents Community-Led Early Childhood Parenting Models from Indonesia and China at ARNEC Regional Conference 2025
MANILA, PHILIPPINES14 July 2025 - At the recent Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC) Regional Conference 2025, Tanoto Foundation, an independent philanthropic organization that catalyzes systems change in education and healthcare, presented its successful community-driven early childhood parenting models from Indonesia and China. The two initiatives,, showcased proven methods for boosting child development in rural and underserved initiatives address the critical 0–3 age window, a golden period in a child's life marked by rapid brain development that reaches up to 80 percent of an adult's brain size. A study by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University highlights that brain cell development during early childhood can reach up to 90 percent, laying the foundation for cognitive, language, motor, sensory, and emotional period is especially challenging in many parts of Asia. A 2023 study by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) revealed that 57 percent of children aged 0–3 in parts of Indonesia are at risk of not reaching their full developmental potential. The study also found that 26 percent of children live in low-quality caregiving environments. In China, a similar concern is the high rate of developmental delays among children aged 0–3 in rural areas, where more than 80 percent fail to meet at least one developmental indicator, according to a 2019 article in the Journal of Comparative Foundation's Rumah Anak SIGAP program in Indonesia has demonstrated significant positive results. An impact evaluation showed that children in rural areas with initial developmental delays who received stimulation through the program recorded an average developmental score increase of 1.06 points, compared to a 0.53-point increase for urban children. By 2024, the program had reached over 3,000 children and parents through 29 service centers across five provinces: Banten, Central Java, East Kalimantan, Jakarta, and program's success lies in empowering community cadres as agents of change, fostering the local ownership essential for sustainability. Ancilla Irwan, Education Development Lead, explained that this deep community and government collaboration transforms the program into "a vital part of an integrated caregiving ecosystem." The strength of this model was underscored when the Mayor of Semarang, Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti, presented her city's initiative—which integrates a Rumah Anak SIGAP center with a stunting prevention center—at the same ARNEC conference."Out of 64 parents interviewed, 59 reported positive changes, such as improved breastfeeding practices, more nutritious feeding, and deeper engagement with their children. The most significant change happens at home, when parents begin to interact with their children consistently and attentively," said Radi Negara, Impact Evaluation Lead at Tanoto this success, the HOPE program in China has effectively scaled its community-driven model to address developmental gaps. The program has successfully trained 330 facilitators and established 138 centers across five provinces: Beijing, Guizhou, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Shandong serving over 16,000 children aged 0–3 and their families in rural Wei, Country Head of Tanoto Foundation China, explains that "Investing in Early Childhood Development (ECD) promotes social equity, breaks intergenerational poverty, and strengthens the human capital essential for China's long-term sustainable development."As a Core Team member of ARNEC, Tanoto Foundation is committed to the network's goal of advancing ECD by fostering strong partnerships, sharing knowledge, and advocating for children's rights. This collaborative spirit was captured in the conference's closing session by Eddy Henry, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Tanoto Foundation:"This conference exemplifies how collaboration can drive knowledge mobilization, amplify voices, and advance the ECD agenda across the Asia-Pacific region. I hope every organization participating will now bring home and implement these best practices locally, helping influence policy changes to ensure every child has access to inclusive, equitable, and high-quality early childhood development."Hashtag: #TanotoFoundation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Tanoto Foundation At Tanoto Foundation, we unlock human potential, help communities thrive, and create lasting impact. Founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, we are an independent family foundation that believes in providing every person with the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. To do so, we catalyze systems change in education and healthcare. Our approach is impact-first, collaborative, and evidence-based. We invest for the long term and strive to develop leaders who can drive sustained, positive outcomes. More information is available at
