KUCHING: A team from the Respiratory Unit of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has recently achieved a major breakthrough by performing the first three cases of a global medical device trial for bronchoscopic lung nodule ablation.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian congratulated the team, led by Dr Kho Sze Shyang, for making Sarawak proud.
“This new novel, minimally invasive technique offers a promising treatment option – which is currently on trial – for lung cancer in patients who are not candidates for surgical resection.
“It will enhance our oncology care by providing localised treatment for oligoprogression of the disease in the lung, which was previously not easily accessible,” he said in a Facebook post.
Bronchoscopic lung nodule ablation involves using a specialised tool, guided by a tiny camera, to remove small lumps in the lung.
The Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government shared that there have been many firsts achieved by Sarawakian doctors despite being in the ‘jungles of Borneo’.
Dr Sim stated that this aligned with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision for Sarawak to go beyond health tourism and leapfrog into high-value drug discovery.
“In Sarawak, our Ministry of Health’s medical service faces severe shortages of doctors – more acute than Peninsula. But we are proud to have more doctors in research here than in Peninsula.
“Sarawak is increasingly recognised and acknowledged by the global pharmaceutical and medical device industry. What we need is more young doctors to join the struggle and ensure our efforts are sustainable,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the Sarawak Cancer Centre hospital project will commence soon, noting that the state government is ready to loan RM1 billion to the federal government for the project.
“In Malaysia, when we build new hospitals, we often lack enough specialists – it is like having Formula 1 (F1) race car but no F1 drivers.
“However, for the soon-to-be-built Sarawak Cancer Hospital, we already have the specialists, which is like having the F1 drivers but not the race car.
“The RM1 billion as a loan from the Sarawak government to the federal government is ready. Now, we need the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and federal Public Works Department (PWD) to seriously kickstart the project after the political decision by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
Dr Sim added that this is another reason Sarawak should have health autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
