KOTA KINABALU: Patients with cataract problems in Sabah’s interior Keningau district had their sight restored following the SINAR4U programme 2026 organised by the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Hospital (HUMS) and the Keningau Hospital recently.
A total of 60 people were chosen to be part of the programme, said HUMS in a statement Tuesday (Sept 29).
It said that the SINAR4U programme has entered its third year now, and has benefited a total of 121 patients since 2024.
Apart from cataract surgery, the programme brings health and specialist care to the people, education and rehabilitation post operation and to help them become more independent and confident instead of them having to go all the way to the city in Kota Kinabalu.
This year, those involved in SINAR4U are the federal Health Ministry, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and College of Ophthalmologists, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (COAMM).
“This collaboration reflects the commitment of various institutions in gathering specialists and resources to bring quality healthcare to those in need,” the statement read.
HUMS expressed its gratitude to all sponsors, contributors, strategic partners, medical specialists, healthcare workers, volunteers and the committee who had contributed their skills, resources, time and energy to make the event successful.
“The successful implementation of SINAR4U is the catalyst for HUMS to continue and expand our initiatives to reach a wider audience so that more would get access to cataract treatment in future,” it said.
In Sabah, many of those with cataract issues, especially in rural and interior areas, have chosen to put their treatment and surgery on hold due to factors including distance from hospitals, cost of transport and accommodation as well as lack of awareness on its treatability.
