Royal guest: Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah touring the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) Hospital grounds while being accompanied by (front, from left) UTAR president Prof Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat and UTAR hospital's board chairman Tan Sri Dr Chuah Hean Teik during the hospital's official launch. - Bernama
KAMPAR: Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital is in demand, recording more than 130,000 patient visits since opening its doors in 2022, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said UTAR Hospital stood out because of its approach in combining Western medicine with traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) to provide a more holistic healthcare experience.
“The TCM Centre, which offers Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, has already treated 100,000 patients from across the country since its launch in April 2022.
“The (Western) medical centre of the hospital has received more than 35,000 patient visits since it started its operation in August 2023.
“This demonstrates a strong demand for integrative healthcare solutions,” he said in his Facebook page yesterday.
The Western medical centre began its operation in August 2023 while TCM started in April 2022
Dr Wee was also present during the launch of the hospital here by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
His Royal Highness was accompanied by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
Guests of honour: (From left) Chief executive officer and medical director of UTAR Hospital Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming, Sak’s wife: Puan Sri Irene Sak, Liow, Ting, Dr Wee, Ena Ling and Dr Ling. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
Also present were UTAR chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and 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 and UTAR president Prof Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat.
The hospital was established with the support of UTAR Education Foundation, alongside generous contributions from philanthropist, donors and the public.
The not-for-profit hospital offers affordable healthcare services and integrated healthcare facilities.
It is also a teaching and community hospital at the university campus here.
In his speech, the hospital’s board chairman Tan Sri Dr Chuah Hean Teik said they offer services in internal medicine, orthopaedics and traumatology, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, paediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine, and dental and oral surgery.
“The facilities include out-patient and in-patient treatment, diagnostic and treatment centres, medical and non-medical supportive services, research and education facilities,” he said.
He said the hospital was developed in phases, with an initial complex comprising 250 beds for Western medicine and 100 beds for TCM.
Malay traditional medicine will be introduced in the future, he said.
“There is also a provision to expand by an additional 250 beds in the future when the need arises.
“Our paediatric services have been expanded to include evening clinics to facilitate parents seeking treatment for their children after working hours,” he added.
He also said that the ear, nose and throat (ENT), ophthalmology and cardiology services will be introduced in the middle of this year.
“In the near future, we will focus on niche areas such as keyhole and robotic surgeries, oncology, cardiovascular and cardiothoracic services, stem cell applications for regenerative medicine, advanced cell-based therapies like immunotherapy and advanced stroke care,” he said.
Star Media Group Bhd chairman Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng congratulated UTAR on establishing the hospital.
“We are glad to be one of the contributors or the donors to this hospital. Together, we wish to complement each other.
“We hope it can be expanded further with more departments and categories of medicine to be established and be offered to the public,” he added.
