SIBU: The donation of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine worth RM9 million to Sibu Hospital is not just an addition to medical assets but also a new ray of hope for the people in the Central Region in obtaining better quality heart treatment.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said the high-tech machine is able to strengthen the hospital’s ability to diagnose heart diseases more accurately, quickly and safely.
According to her, the technology allows doctors to assess the structure and function of the heart, blood flow and the condition of internal tissues in more detail, thus helping to determine the need for further treatment such as bypass surgery or angioplasty.
“This is not just a medical device, but a ray of hope for the people in this region. It symbolises the concern and high commitment in improving the health of the community,” she said at the handover ceremony at Sibu Hospital on Friday (April 10).
The handover of the machine was from the Sarawak Heart Foundation (SHF) to Sibu Hospital, which was witnessed and officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Hanifah who is also the Mukah MP, expressed her appreciation to SHF for the meaningful contribution, which is seen to have a major impact on the healthcare system, especially in the early detection of heart disease.
She added that with the availability of the facility, patients in the Central Region no longer need to be referred to other hospitals to obtain related scans, thus saving time and speeding up treatment.
Meanwhile, she stressed that the collaboration between the public sector and non-governmental organisations as shown by the SHF is the best example in ensuring that the development of the health sector continues to be strengthened.
“This ongoing commitment clearly proves that joint efforts can bring about major and lasting changes to the well-being of the people.”
The hospital assured that the machine will be used with full responsibility and dedication to ensure that its benefits can be fully enjoyed by the community in the region.
State health director Dr Veronica Lugah; SHF Trustee Board member Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu; and Sibu Hospital director Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu were among those present at the event.
