Sultan Nazrin (right) taking a tour of UTAR Hospital in Kampar after launching it.
SINCE opening its doors to the public in 2022, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital has been well-received by the people in Kampar, Perak.
Chew says her brother was pleased with the hospital’s services.The not-for-profit hospital has already seen more than 130,000 visits by patients, with locals mostly going there for the traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) services.
Student Jayde Chew Xin Jie, 23, said her 21-year-old brother had sought treatment at the hospital’s TCM wing for a torn ligament on his ankle last year.
“He got injured while playing badminton and wanted a natural remedy.
“He said they offered good services and was glad that his pain was relieved,” said Chew.
Tailor G. Megala, 40, said she was glad that traditional medicine services, such as Ayurvedic treatment, were provided at the hospital.
“I prefer nature-based medicine and Ayurvedic treatments use natural remedies, which I believe are beneficial.
“However, I also acknowledge that modern medicine plays an equally important role,” said Megala.
Raveena Kaur Masoun, 18, who just completed her SPM exam, said the hospital was highly convenient for those seeking TCM treatment.
Raveena says the hospital is convenient for those seeking TCM treatment.“I think it’s a great move to have a hospital that offers traditional medicine, as not all hospitals provide such options.
“This is very helpful for the community here, as they don’t have to travel far to seek traditional and complementary medicine,” she said.
TCM offers an alternative for those who have allergies to modern medicine, she said and added that she was pleased that there was an option to seek such treatment in Kampar.
UTAR Hospital was officially launched on Feb 19 by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who was accompanied by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
His Royal Highness was then taken on a tour of the hospital’s facilities, including its TCM centre.
Also present during the opening ceremony were MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, UTAR chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and his wife Toh Puan Ena Ling, UTAR council chairman Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh, MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng, former MCA president Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai, former MCA secretary-general Tan Sri Ong Ka Chuan, UTAR Education Foundation board of trustees chairman Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum, UTAR president Prof Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat and hospital board chairman Tan Sri Dr Chuah Hean Teik.
The hospital, which cost about RM300mil to build, was established with the support of the UTAR Education Foundation as well as generous contributions from philanthropists, donors and the public.
The hospital’s TCM centre first opened its doors in April 2022, while the Western medicine wing began operations in August 2023.
It is also a teaching and community hospital located within the university’s campus.
The TCM centre first opened its doors in April 2022, while the Western medicine wing began operations in August 2023.
Apart from TCM, the hospital offers services in orthopaedics and traumatology, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, paediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine as well as dental and oral surgery.
The facilities include outpatient and inpatient treatment, diagnostic and treatment centres, medical and non-medical supportive services as well as research and education facilities.
The Ayurveda treatment space at UTAR Hospital.
The hospital currently has 250 beds for Western medicine and 100 beds for TCM, with a provision to expand by a further 250 beds in the future when the need arises.
Other healthcare services to be introduced in the future include ear, nose and throat (ENT), ophthalmology and cardiology.
Malay traditional medicine is also being planned to be introduced as part of the TCM services in the future.
