KUCHING: Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has achieved a historic medical milestone after successfully performing its first two craniosynostosis surgeries, a complex procedure to reshape a child’s skull to allow normal brain growth.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian congratulated the hospital’s Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Department of Neurosurgery for the breakthrough, which took place on Oct 16 and 17, marking the first time such operations have been carried out not only in Sarawak but also outside Kuala Lumpur.
He said it was made possible through close collaboration between a multidisciplinary team comprising specialists from Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), SGH, and Bintulu Hospital.
“The achievement reflected the exemplary spirit of Sarawak nation building, with everyone playing their role to improve healthcare services for fellow Sarawakians,” he said in a Facebook post.
Dr Sim, who is also Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, acknowledged that SGH continues to face challenges such as underfunding, limited facilities and equipment — noting that an additional RM10 million is needed this year — as well as manpower and remuneration issues.
He assured that the state government would continue to negotiate with the Health Ministry (KKM) to strengthen Sarawak’s health autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Despite these challenges, the sheer spirit, resilience, determination and passion of our medical specialists and partners have enabled them to go beyond the call of duty for the people of Sarawak,” he said.
Dr Sim also expressed gratitude to all involved and wished the two children who underwent the surgeries a speedy recovery and a chance to grow up healthy.
