SIBU: Sibu Hospital has become the first hospital in Malaysia to be equipped with a near helium-free cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system, marking a major leap in cardiovascular diagnostic capabilities and expanding access to specialist care in central Sarawak.
Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, said the advanced technology represents a significant shift from conventional MRI systems, which typically require large volumes of helium for their magnetic components.
He noted that the capability to conduct cardiac MRI scans places Hospital Sibu at a higher level, as the procedure is far more complex than standard MRI imaging.
Dr Sim said this when met by reporters after officiating the launch of the machine at the hospital today.
The acquisition was made possible through a strategic collaboration involving the Sarawak Heart Foundation, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, 20 donors and Philips Malaysia.
The initiative began with contributions from 20 donors, raising RM2.02 million, while the Ministry of Health Malaysia provided an additional RM1,208,018 to upgrade the facility housing the equipment.
With the new system in place, patients no longer need to travel to Kuching for cardiac scans, reducing travel burdens and enabling faster access to treatment.
According to Dr Sim, cardiac MRI allows doctors to accurately assess blood supply to the heart and detect blocked arteries, as well as determine whether heart muscle tissue remains viable or has died – key factors in deciding further treatment such as bypass surgery, balloon procedures or stent placement.
In addition to cardiac imaging, the machine is also capable of conducting scans of the brain and other parts of the body, further strengthening Hospital Sibu’s role as a key medical hub in Sarawak.
