SIBU: A satellite heart centre will be established at Sibu Hospital to serve patients in central Sarawak.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the Sarawak government is committed to ensuring access to specialised healthcare regardless of background.
“Cancer affects people irrespective of whether they are rich or poor, or of different races. That is why the Premier, Tan Sri Abang Johari, is prepared to allocate RM1.5bil to build a cancer hospital in Kuching.
“Outside Kuching, a satellite heart centre is being developed in Sibu, with the tender for the project expected to be called this year,” he said.
Dr Sim was speaking at the presentation of appointment letters to 100 community leaders in the Sibu district on Thursday (January 29).
He added that once the satellite heart centre is operational, about 80% of cardiac cases from the region could be treated in Sibu, with the remainder referred to Kuching.
At present, all heart patients from Sibu have to be referred to Kuching for treatment.
Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, said Sibu Hospital will also soon be equipped with a cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner.
“This will be the first MRI scanner in Sibu and the second in Sarawak after Kuching. The Sarawak Heart Foundation is currently raising funds to purchase the scanner,” he said.
