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LOOKING AFTER THE HEARTS OF SARAWAK: BRIDGING THE GAP IN HEART FAILURE (HF) CARE IN SARAWAK
By Dr Chung Bui Khiong Clinical Cardiologist, Sarawak Heart Centre Sarawak is Malaysia’s largest state, spanning around 800 kilometres along its northwest coast. As of 2021, it is home to 2.8 million people from almost 40 different sub-ethnic groups across varied socioeconomic backgrounds. The state of Sarawak is divided into 11 divisions with its capital, Kuching city, on its southwest tip. Sarawak Heart Centre, Sarawak’s sole cardiology centre, is located in Kota Samarahan with a limited number of cardiologists to provide care for HF patients throughout the state. Owing to the expansive size of the state, access to cardiologists is constrained by logistical challenges. The care is often shared…
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Diabetes Heart Connection Day
Diabetes Heart Connection Day, a collaboration between Sarawak Heart Foundation and Sibu Hospital, was held at Permai Lakeside Garden on 16 November 2024. Diabetes and heart disease are two of the most prevalent health concerns globally, affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite their distinct characteristics, these two conditions share a strong connection, with diabetics having a 2-4 times increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in Malaysia accounting for 17% of deaths in 2022 and approximately 50% of patients with acute coronary syndrome have diabetes. Deputy President of Dewan Rakyat YB Alice Lau who is also Member of Parliament for Lanang, officiated at…
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Electricity For Life 2024
A Sarawak Heart Foundation Initiative in collaboration with: Sarawak State Health Department Sarawak Heart Centre Medtronic International (Malaysia) Report by Dr Esteban Chin, Clinical Cardiologist, Sarawak Heart Centre on behalf of the travel team for Electricity for Life Initiative
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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR PROPOSED CARDIAC UNIT IN BINTULU HOSPITAL
The Sarawak Heart Foundation has successfully raised RM2.25 million for the purchase of medical equipment and consumables for the setting up of the cardiac unit in Bintulu Hospital. Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) contributed RM1.6 million while Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd sponsored RM500,000 and Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad added RM150,000. Some of the basic infrastructure was already in place in Bintulu Hospital and upon the delivery of the equipment scheduled for early 2025, cardiology services will commence immediately. Cardiologists from Sarawak Heart Centre will be assigned to take care of the patients in Bintulu Hospital. The cardiac unit will be able to address the immediate needs of Bintulu Hospital…
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World Heart Day 2024
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Extending Diagnostics from Patients to Population
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and ranks fourth in hospitalizations at Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Malaysia(1). Patients with CVD in Malaysia are on average 10 years younger than those in developed countries(2). Increasing burden of CVD is primarily due to the rising prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol(3,4). As of 2019, 3 out of every 10 adults in Malaysia had hypertension, 1 out of every 5 had diabetes, and 4 out of every 10 had high cholesterol(4). Access to critical cardiology services at a public tertiary level in Sarawak is severely hampered by the fact that there is only one cardiology centre…
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Health Screening on Sarawak Day @ The Spring Bintulu
Doctors and nurses from Bintulu Hospital conducted the free health screening held at the launching of the State-level Immunisation Programme “Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at the Spring Bintulu on Sarawak Day 22 July 2024. Deputy Premier of Sarawak YB Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian who is also the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Public Health and Deputy Chairman of Sarawak Heart Foundation officiated at the event themed Leaving No One Behind: Eliminating Cervical Cancer in Malaysia.
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HARI RAYA GIFTS FOR PATIENTS AT SARAWAK HEART CENTRE
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Manikins for Sarawak General Hospital
Sarawak Heart Foundation has donated 12 units of manikins to Sarawak General Hospital. The manikins consisting of seven units of CPR Manikin ½ Body Little Anne and five units of Infant Manikin Little Baby cost Rm20,100. They are needed for the Basic Life Support courses for the staff in the hospital. The manikins were handed over to Dr Vanitha Kandasamy of Sarawak General Hospital at a simple ceremony at Sarawak Heart Centre on 2 April 2024. Present at the ceremony were Foundation Deputy Chairman YB Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian and Board Trustees Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Hajah Jamilah Binti Haji Anu, Dato Anne Teng and Ms Pauline…
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SARAWAK HEART FOUNDATION FUNDS GENETIC TESTING FOR INHERITED CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
3 January 2024 – Sarawak Heart Foundation has contributed RM100,000 towards a fund for genetic testing for inherited cardiovascular disease at Sarawak Heart Centre. The fund was set up in 2021 with RM50,000 from the Foundation, and has benefitted 58 patients, including 8 children. Last year, the genetic testing service was extended to children with inherited cardiovascular disease (mainly inherited aortopathies). These children are under the careful care of the paediatric cardiology team at Sarawak Heart Centre. With another contribution of RM50,000 from the Foundation last month, the Centre will be able to support more children. Consultant cardiologist Dr Oon Yen Yee who initiated the fund, said that the purpose…
