KUCHING: Sarawak needs more neurologists and related specialists to cope with the increasing demand for neurological and psychiatric treatment.
Dr Chhoa Keng Hong, consultant neuropsychiatrist at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), said conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and dementia often come with psychiatric symptoms, requiring close collaboration between neurologists and neuropsychiatrists.
“Over the past three years, the case load has increased more than fivefold, and I foresee handling thousands of neuropsychiatric patients spanning psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery and neurorehabilitation.
“The more the merrier. Neurologists will handle the motor symptoms while we look after the emotional, cognitive and behavioural aspects.
“Only by working closely together can we achieve better outcomes and quality of care for patients,” he said when met at the 9th Asia Pacific Neuropsychiatry Conference (NEURON 2025), officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at Waterfront Hotel here today.
Dr Chhoa stressed that clinical neuroscience was not a field that could work in isolation.
“We are not working in silos. Neuropsychiatrists collaborate with rehabilitation physicians, neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists. It requires teamwork to build up clinical neuroscience in Sarawak.”
He noted that neuropsychiatry bridges psychiatry and neurology, managing psychiatric disorders with neurological symptoms and vice versa.
“For example, in Parkinson’s disease, the neurologist handles the motor side, while we manage cognition and behaviour.
“For traumatic brain injury, neurosurgeons manage the acute phase, while we handle recovery and reintegration into society.”
At the same time, SGH has made strides in advanced procedures such as epilepsy surgery and deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease.
“We are one of the key players in evaluating which patients are good candidates. This shows we are progressing, and I hope we keep up the good work and spirit.”
Dr Chhoa, who established the neuropsychiatry service at SGH in 2022 after completing subspecialty training in Melbourne, said the patient load had since grown fivefold in three years.
“I foresee handling thousands of neuropsychiatric patients across psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery and neurorehabilitation. The demand is only going to rise.”
