SIBU: After nearly three decades of commitment to improving healthcare in Central Sarawak, Rejang Medical Centre (RMC) here on Friday (July 3) achieved a major milestone with the launch of its first Interventional Cardiology Services, bringing life-saving heart treatment closer to patients in Sibu and surrounding regions.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, RMC Managing Director, Dr John Tang Ing Ching, described the occasion as the fulfilment of a promise made when the medical centre was established in 1997 – to deliver high-quality healthcare closer to home.
He said the journey had been far from easy, with years of overcoming challenges in funding, infrastructure and the recruitment of specialist medical professionals.
Despite the obstacles, RMC remained steadfast in its mission of serving the people of Sibu and Central Sarawak.
“Heart disease is often a silent killer. It does not care who we are and gives little warning. When cardiac emergencies strike, every minute counts,” Dr Tang said.
Previously, patients requiring specialised cardiac intervention had to travel more than 150 kilometres to Kuching, a journey that could mean the difference between life and death during a medical emergency.
Dr Tang revealed that the decision to establish interventional cardiology services was driven not only by medical necessity but also by personal tragedy.
He recalled losing his father to a heart attack in 2020 without warning, an experience that reinforced the urgent need for timely access to cardiac treatment in Sibu.
“We had the capability to set up the cardiology service in other hospitals but establishing it in Sibu was simply too expensive. However, when lives are at stake, cost cannot be the deciding factor. You cannot put a price on a human life,” he said.
Although the new RMC building is expected to be completed in about two years, he stressed that waiting for the new facility would have meant delaying essential heart services for the community.
Instead, RMC chose to invest immediately, believing every life saved during the next two years would justify the millions of ringgit spent.
The launch also marks the introduction of Sibu’s first interventional cardiology service, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to address one of the region’s most critical healthcare gaps.
Dr Tang also acknowledged the strong support of the Sarawak Government, community leaders and healthcare partners, saying their confidence in the project had helped create an environment capable of attracting highly skilled medical professionals to Sibu.
Reflecting on the 30-year journey, he said the achievement represented more than the opening of a new medical service – it was proof that a long-held vision had finally become reality.
“We want the people of Sibu to know that RMC will continue to keep this momentum. Together with the government, hospitals, clinics and healthcare partners, we will ensure Sibu is no longer a place of medical uncertainty but a place of safety, confidence and hope,” he added.
The launch was attended by Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, as guest of honour; Bukit Assek assemblyman, Joseph Chieng Jin Ek; Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew; Political Secretary to the Premier, Joshua Ting Fu Ying; Sibu Municipal Council’s Chairman, Clarence Ting Ing Horh; Sibu Hospital’s Deputy Director, Dr Nizam Ishak; and RMC’s resident consultant cardiologist, Dr Francis Shu Eng Pbeng.
