Latest news with #SunwayHealthcareGroup
The Star
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Using genetic details to treat illnesses
(From left) Dr Seow, Prof Dr Thong, Lau, Dr Khoo and Dr Low at the launch of the Genomics Medicine Centre at Sunway Medical Centre in Sunway City. — KK SHAM/The Star GENOMIC medicine, which uses a person's genetic information to guide their healthcare, is a growing field. This type of care is now available at Sunway Medical Centre (SMC) in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya in Selangor. The hospital has launched its Genomics Medicine Centre to provide advanced healthcare services. Speaking at the launch, Sunway Healthcare Group hospital and healthcare operations managing director Dr Khoo Chow Huat said their goal was not just to treat illness but to stay ahead of it. 'Our Genomics Medicine Centre reflects our vision for a future where healthcare is personalised to each patient's needs and risks, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. 'We are proud to offer Malaysian patients access to precision medicine that's on par with the world's best,' he added. According to the centre's media statement, the services integrate genomic science into clinical care, supporting more informed, patient-specific healthcare approaches in Malaysia and the region. It is helping doctors better treat cancer, choose the right medications and diagnose rare or hard-to-identify illnesses and infections, the centre said. 'Malaysia, like many developing countries, is facing a dual healthcare challenge – an ageing population with rising rates of chronic conditions and a growing number of patients living with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed rare diseases. 'The genomic medicine services aim to offer timely and relevant genetic insights that support early intervention and improved care planning,' the centre added. Dr Khoo, in his speech, said through these new services, patients would have access to a comprehensive range of genomic testing services, including hereditary cancer risk screening, liquid biopsy for cancer screening and rare disease diagnostics. Also present at the launch were Sunway Healthcare Group president Datuk Lau Beng Long, SMC chief executive officer Dr Seow Vei Ken, consultant clinical geneticist Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong, SMC medical director Dr Low Kwai Siong, consultant paediatrician and paediatric endocrinologist Dr Ch'ng Tong Wooi and SMC staff.
Barnama
20-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Sunway Medical Centre First In Southeast Asia To Launch AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite
(from left) President of Sunway Healthcare Group Datuk Lau Beng Long was conducting a demonstration of using AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite while assisted by Dr. Saw Lim Beng, Consultant Spine Surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City. Credit: SMC Sunway City Consultant Spine Surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City Dr. Saw Lim Beng delivered his speech during the launching of AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite. Credit: SMC Sunway City President of Sunway Healthcare Group, Datuk Lau Beng Long delivered his speech during the launching of AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite. Credit: SMC Sunway City KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) has made history as the first medical facility in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to introduce the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite, a cutting-edge, robotic-guided technology designed to enhance precision, safety as well as efficiency in spinal surgery. In a statement today, SMC said the introduction of the AiBLE™ system addresses the growing prevalence of back pain and spinal disorders, which are among the most common health issues globally and in Malaysia. Citing data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), SMC said low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people worldwide in 2020, with the number projected to rise to 843 million by 2050. According to the hospital, LBP is the leading cause of disability globally, particularly among individuals aged between 50 and 55, and affects a significant number of Malaysians. 'Given the complexity of spinal surgery due to the spine's three-dimensional anatomy and its proximity to critical neurovascular structures, the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite integrates the Spine Robotic Guidance System, StealthStation™ S8 Surgical Navigation System and O-arm™ Imaging System,' the statement read. SMC said the integration of these technologies offers several patient benefits, including enhanced accuracy through real-time imaging and advanced guidance technology to ensure precise implant placement. It said the system enables quicker recovery through minimally invasive procedures with smaller incisions, reducing tissue damage and postoperative pain, while lowering intraoperative and postoperative complications. 'The AiBLE™ system is part of SMC's commitment to bringing international levels of care to Malaysians. With the latest spine solution integration at SMC, surgeons can now plan the entire procedure in advance using a detailed 3D model of the patient's spine, even before stepping into the operating room,' it said. The statement explained that during surgery, the tools guide the surgeon in real-time, making the operation more precise, efficient and confident, which ultimately benefits patients with improved outcomes.
Malay Mail
05-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
MIDF: Healthcare sector to remain key growth and job driver despite insurance cost pressures
KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd's research arm, MIDF Research, continues to remain positive on Malaysia's healthcare sector, forecasting a 6.0-8.0 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) until 2030. In a research note today, MIDF Research said the sector contributed 2.1 per cent to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, and continues to support job creation in both the public and private segments. 'The real growth in private health services registered a robust average increase of 9.3 per cent from 2022 to 2024, surpassing the average growth of 5.8 per cent recorded between 2016 and 2019. 'This reflects a stronger demand for private healthcare services, with the healthcare sector also being a key contributor to employment due to the increased number of facilities in both the government and private sectors,' it said. However, it cautioned that rising medical insurance premiums remain a challenge, driven by cost pressures from medical inflation. 'The challenge of medical inflation, with healthcare expenses growing faster than both wages and general inflation, is a global issue affecting countries beyond Malaysia. 'In response to medical claims inflation, Malaysian insurers and takaful operators have implemented measures to alleviate premium increases,' the research house said. MIDF Research also said that Malaysia's dual healthcare system, consisting of a heavily subsidised public sector and a technologically-driven private sector, has helped to position the country as a leading destination for medical tourism. 'Malaysia had yet to fully adopt the Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) system nationwide, yet DRG is believed to be a good step to standardise efficiency and cost containment, as well as encouraging data-driven care, which are crucial to support medical tourism while lessening the burden on local patients,' it said. DRG is a classification system used by healthcare providers and insurers to categorise patients based on their medical diagnoses and treatments, grouping them into specific categories with a fixed payment rate for similar clinical conditions and treatments. On investments, MIDF Research noted that there has been an increase in hospital transactions and healthcare-related initial public offerings, adding that the upcoming listing of Sunway Healthcare Group could act as a catalyst for the re-evaluation of the sector. — Bernama
