Ling (sixth from left) handing over medical equipment to Hospital Sibu.
SIBU MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew has handed over 10 high dependency unit (HDU) patientcare beds and a range of medical equipment to Hospital Sibu, paving the way for a neurosurgery HDU in the town.
The handover marked Sibu as the second town in Sarawak, after Kuching, to set up such a facility.
Ling said the equipment, funded under the “Projek Mesra Rakyat” allocation, would benefit neurosurgical patients by upgrading the hospital’s treatment standards.
“This contribution enhances fundamental community facilities within the Sibu parliamentary constituency and raises the standard of care at Hospital Sibu,” he said.
He added that the setting up of the unit was both timely and necessary given the rising number of patients with stroke, cerebral haemorrhage, intracranial surgery and brain tumours.
Ling explained that neurosurgical patients often have weaker immunity, leaving them vulnerable to infections such as pneumonia if admitted to the same intensive care ward with other patients.
The specialised HDU would ensure targeted care, reduce the risk of cross-infection and provide safer treatment conditions, he said.
“For stroke patients, speech and mobility functions may be permanently impaired if they do not receive treatment within the golden window of three to four-and-a-half hours.
“This underscores the importance of a neurosurgical HDU in Sibu,” he added.
Ling had allocated RM500,000 in 2019 for the first phase of the hospital’s parking facility, creating 125 spaces, followed by another RM500,000 for the second phase, which added 118 spaces.
“With the handover of these 10 special patientcare beds, the hospital’s infrastructure and services are being progressively improved, offering greater assurance to the local community.
“It is an important step forward in making Sibu’s healthcare more comprehensive and professional,” he highlighted.
In addition, Ling urged the public to pay more attention to their health.
“Managing one’s diet, reducing sugar intake, and exercising regular are key to avoiding a lifetime burden of diseases.”
Citing Health Ministry data, he said the Government spends about RM10bil annually on treating infectious diseases, while indirect economic losses due to reduced productivity amounted to as much as RM64bil.
