Dr Sim: Urgent need for CPR, AED awareness as heart attacks, sudden collapses on the rise
KUCHING (June 22): Cases of heart attacks and sudden collapses are reported to be on the rise in Sarawak, which can be fatal if immediate assistance is not provided, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said as such, there is an urgent need for awareness and training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) among the community.
'Awareness and training in CPR and the use of AEDs are extremely important and must be disseminated across all levels of society to save lives in emergency situations,' he said at the Run to Save Lives 5.0 organised by the Malaysian Red Crescent Sarawak (MRCS) Kuching Chapter today.
His text of speech was delivered by Deputy Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting.
Dr Sim said the Sarawak government welcomed any initiatives by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the MRCS and private sectors to work together in widely promoting this knowledge.
He also commended the efforts of MRC Kuching for actively organising CPR and AED awareness training and for involving more schools and communities in their programmes.
'I was informed that 28 primary and secondary schools are participating in this year's Run to Save Lives event.
'This shows that Sarawak's younger generation is becoming increasingly engaged in community initiatives,' he said.
He added that such efforts are crucial in shaping a generation that not only excels academically but is also sensitive to health and community safety issues.
In the context of Sarawak's encouraging economic development, Dr Sim stressed that the health and well-being of the people must remain a top priority that should not be taken lightly.
'Events like this not only help raise funds but also spread important messages about healthy lifestyles and preparedness in emergency situations,' he said.
He expressed hope that more Sarawakians, especially the younger generation, will step up to support and participate in community initiatives for the greater good.
Also present were Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap and event organising chairman Dr Chow Chee Ming.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
14 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak healthcare must move beyond clinical service, medical tourism, says Dr Sim
Dr Sim examines a device at a booth set up for the conference. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 4): Healthcare in Sarawak must move beyond clinical service and medical tourism to encompass research, manufacturing, and innovation, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government said Sarawak is building a full medical ecosystem that includes hospital services, research, and high-tech medical manufacturing — especially in burn and wound care. 'Service is important — don't get me wrong. But service alone is not enough. You must do research. Even if the idea seems small, even if it comes from the Jungle of Borneo, it's still an idea — and it matters,' he said in his opening speech at the 5th International Burn and Wound Conference 2025 here today. He urged nurses, paramedics, and doctors in Sarawak to actively contribute to research efforts to improve the standard of care, particularly in burn and wound management. 'Whether you're a nurse, paramedic, or doctor, you must understand that research is just as important as clinical work. And if the opportunity comes, we must seize it,' he said. Speaking to reporters later, Dr Sim said burn injuries remain a critical and life-altering issue in Sarawak, particularly due to industrial explosions and house fires. 'Burns are not only life-threatening but also life-altering. After a burn injury, patients require extensive rehabilitation due to complications like skin contractures — it's a very long journey. 'And whether we like it or not, burns will always be a risk — whether from house fires or, in our case, incidents in the oil and gas and chemical industries,' he said. He stressed the importance of staying up to date with the latest technology and best practices in burn and wound care, adding that the conference was a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. On wound care, Dr Sim said the issue was even more pressing in Sarawak due to the high rate of diabetes-related complications. 'Almost every week, there is someone in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) who has a leg amputated because of diabetic ulcers that cannot heal. The infection becomes so serious it threatens the whole body, so they have to amputate,' he said. This creates not only medical but also social challenges, he said, such as mental health issues and the need for prosthetics. 'Wound healing is a very big market. Unfortunately, Sarawak, like the rest of Malaysia and the world, has a very high prevalence of diabetes — nearly 20 per cent.' Dr Sim pointed to Sarawak's growing role in clinical research, particularly at SGH. 'Sarawak is a very important place for clinical research. Between 2013 and last year, the industry brought in RM1 billion in business,' he said. 'How many people have run a billion-ringgit business over 10 years? And this is just the beginning.' He pointed out that research is a sustainable industry. 'If you build infrastructure — how many Pan Borneos are you going to build? How many coastal highways are you going to build? But with research, you constantly need new drugs, new viruses — it never stops,' he said. He said this long-term vision was the rationale behind setting up the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre and other research-focused initiatives. 'We want the full spectrum — not just service and medical tourism, but research and manufacturing. This is the whole medical set we need to build.' Dr Sim Kui Hian healthcare lead medical ecosystem
Borneo Post
15 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Dr Sim: High-tech collagen factory to strengthen Sarawak's role in wound care innovation, medical research
Dr Sim (front third right) joins other guests to pop balloons to officially open the conference. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 4): A high-tech collagen factory will be set up in Sarawak as part of broader efforts to strengthen the state's role in wound care innovation and medical research, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government said the facility will be established by a United States-based company specialising in wound management and regenerative medicine. 'They have seen the Premier, they visited me, and they will start a factory in Sarawak for all this very high-tech collagen,' he told reporters after opening the 5th International Burn and Wound Conference 2025 here today. While the project timeline has not been finalised, Dr Sim disclosed that Sarawak was selected over Selangor as the preferred location. 'The initial amount, if I'm not wrong, is either US$20 million (RM84.4 million) or US$40 million (RM168.8 million). That's one, but they also have associate industries — because once one moves, others will follow from the US,' he said. According to him, the wound care sector in Sarawak continues to grow in importance due to the high prevalence of diabetes-related complications, including amputations. 'At Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), almost every week someone has a leg amputated due to a diabetic ulcer that cannot heal. That's why wound healing is not only about service, but also about research,' he said. Dr Sim said collagen-based regenerative treatments are a key component of modern wound care and the planned factory would cater to both local and global demand. 'We don't want to be reactive. If you're constructive, you plan ahead,' he said. He also emphasised the state's long-term goal of building a complete medical ecosystem encompassing healthcare services, research, and manufacturing. He noted Sarawak's growing reputation in clinical research, especially in 'first-in-human' trials — the highest level of medical testing. 'Last year, there were five first-in-human research projects in Malaysia. Four were done in Sarawak. This year, there are four again — all in Sarawak,' he said. He credited SGH's Clinical Research Centre and the oncology team for advancing the state's position in medical research. Over the past decade, Sarawak's research sector has generated RM1 billion in clinical trial-related business, he said. 'This is very sustainable. You can't keep building Pan Borneo highways, but you can keep developing new drugs and therapies. That's why this ecosystem is important,' he explained. Dr Sim added the upcoming Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre is also part of the state's broader strategy to position itself as a regional hub for medical innovation. collagen factory Dr Sim Kui Hian lead medical research wound care
Borneo Post
18 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Dr Sim: Status of Sarawak's first human rabies patient for 2025 unclear
Dr Sim fields questions from reporters after officiating at the 5th International Burn and Wound Conference 2025. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 4): The status of Sarawak's first confirmed human rabies case for 2025 is unclear, said Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The Deputy Premier, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said there have been no updates regarding the 13-year-old boy from Kampung Segedup since the case was first reported in May. 'I need to ask the Jabatan Kesihatan (Sarawak Health Department) because I don't think that they want to keep anything in the dark,' he told reporters after opening the 5th International Burn and Wound Conference 2025 here today. He said the Health Department has consistently carried out awareness efforts to educate the public on the risks of rabies. 'You see, the public awareness, right, I think all the Jabatan Kesihatan have always done a lot of public awareness. And that's why, under SDMC (Sarawak Disaster Management Committee), they want to join all these taskforces,' he said. Dr Sim recalled the intense public reaction when rabies was first reported in the state. 'When the first rabies (case happened), at that point in time, everybody panicked. Now it's like okay,' he said. He compared the situation to the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting that public complacency often follows an initial period of heightened awareness. 'Just like during Covid time, you would not even go near me. But now, even though I read that Covid incidence is increasing, is anybody wearing a mask? Anybody washing their hands? Last time, handwashing was everywhere. Now? Semua lupa (Everyone's forgotten),' he said. He stressed the need for shared responsibility in eradicating rabies. 'The public must play their role and do their part. You must bring your dog for vaccination. You don't expect the government to go to your house to vaccinate,' he said. He also noted that both pet dogs and stray dogs pose similar rabies risks, and that cats are increasingly becoming vectors for the disease. 'There are two things. One is the pet dogs. The pet dogs are causing as much rabies as the strays. And increasingly, the cats. Recently, there was a case involving a cat,' he said, cautioning that cats can contract rabies from dogs and transmit the disease to humans through scratches. The 13-year-old boy's case was confirmed by the Health Department in a Facebook post on May 25. His symptoms were fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, hallucinations, delirium, difficulty walking, and trouble swallowing water from May 21. Investigations revealed that the boy had a history of being scratched by a stray cat, frequently played with and fed stray cats, and had handled the carcass of a cat killed in a road accident. He initially sought treatment at a private hospital before being referred to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), where clinical tests confirmed he had rabies. At the time of the announcement, the boy was receiving treatment at SGH. Dr Sim Kui Hian human rabies Kampung Segedup lead
