Cancer hospital launches three new services

DESPITE being a not-for-profit hospital, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital has taken a major stride by offering top-tier cancer treatments for the community regardless of its financial status.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng was at the hospital on Sept 28 to officially launch its three new services, namely the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery, Ambulatory Procedure Department (APD) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.

Also present were Agriculture & Agro-Based Industry, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin, Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital chief executive officer Joan Lim Choon and Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital director John Lau.

Lim congratulated the hospital for hitting the milestone as a cancer hospital that has a team of high-calibre clinical specialists running the state-of-the-art treatment machines.

“The fact that the hospital is being operated as a not-for-profit organisation only makes it even more inspiring.

“It is truly commendable that after 43 years, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital remains true to its roots and continues to serve cancer patients regardless of its financial status,” he said.

While acknowledging the importance of quality healthcare, Lim said several measures were introduced by the Federal Government in the 2019 Budget.

“These included RM10.8 billion worth of medical supplies and upgrade in the quality of health services at public clinics and hospitals.

“The Federal Government has also provided RM100 million through nationwide health screening programme, ‘Skim Perlindungan Kesihatan (PEKA), for 800,000 individuals, aged 50 and above in B40 households.

“Furthermore, RM50 million has been allocated this year for the treatment of rare diseases, treating stunting among children, providing more haemodialysis screenings and treatments and expanding the Enhanced Primary Healthcare (EnPHC) programme,” he said.

Dr Afif said it was really heartening to know how active a not-for-profit hospital like Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital was striving for the betterment of cancer patients.

“I am pleased to learn that six patients have benefited from the Mount Miriam-Roche Cares programme while there are 14 more slots left.

“To achieve this, it takes a big effort from both Mount Miriam and their partner Roche Malaysia.

“I hope the hospital will continue its endeavour to foster more collaborative initiatives in the future,” said Dr Afif, who represented Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, at the launch of three new services today.

 

Story by Danny Ooi

Pix by Ainul Warddah Sohili