SUNWAY Medical Centre Ipoh has launched its Centre of Excellence for Prostate High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Therapy.
Its chief executive officer Jennifer Soon said, “HIFU is one of the most advanced technologies available in the treatment of localised prostate cancer.
“It is another significant step forward in our commitment to providing innovative and patient-centred care.”
The treatment would benefit patients in terms of reduced hospital stays, faster recovery time and potential for fewer treatment-related complications, she said in her speech during the launch of the centre in Tambun at Ipoh, Perak.
The medical centre is believed to be the first in South-East Asia to use the Sonablate HIFU system, said Soon.
HIFU is a minimally invasive, radiation-free therapy that uses focused ultrasound energy to precisely target prostate tissue without surgical incisions.
Sonablate, developed by Sonablate Corp, is a robotic medical device that utilises this technology to ablate diseased tissue.
Soon said Sunway Medical Centre was increasingly being recognised as a training and case-observation centre for HIFU.
“This provides an opportunity for knowledge sharing, professional development and the wider adoption of HIFU expertise across the region.”
Sunway Medical Centre consultant urologist Dr L. Sivaneswaran said he has performed about 125 prostate HIFU treatment throughout his clinical practice, from Ipoh’s Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun to cases in Penang as well as at private hospitals.
“I’ve previously used rented machines. Sunway Medical Centre has invested in one so the treatment can now be done here.
“I’ve done 40 HIFU treatments at the medical centre so far,” said Dr Sivaneswaran, who joined the centre in 2025.
Perak health, human resources and Indian community affairs committee chairman Datuk A. Sivanesan hoped to see public-private partnership in healthcare services continue to be strengthened.
Collaboration between the two sectors would bridge the gap in allowing expertise, knowledge and resources to be shared for the benefit of patients, he said in his speech.
“Ultimately, this benefits the people of Perak by improving access to timely and quality healthcare.”
In a press conference later, Sivanesan said the government was also planning to have HIFU machines at its public hospitals.
“The equipment costs about RM4mil.
“I hope we can have one or two of these units,” he added.
Present at the launch were Sunway Healthcare Group managing director Dr Khoo Chow Huat, Asian Pacific Prostate Society president and Tokai University Urology Department chairman Prof Shoji Sunao and Sonablate Corp clinical affairs and operations senior vice-president David Quigley.
