By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Aug 23: The Sarawak government is looking to explore the field of regenerative medicine to restore cells, which could potentially extend one’s lifespan, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Speaking during the relaunching of the Kemena Pacific Hospital, he said that he had read about regenerative medicine, which can restore the cells in the body.
“I read one article (that states that) as long as the compound matches what you have in the body, you can restore your cell. When we become old, the cells in our body also become old. So, what you need is to restore the cells so that they can function.
“According to that particular writing, (if we) find the compound somewhere else and artificial intelligence (AI) will be able to identify the matching cells, then perhaps the cells can be restored, and what they say is that you can live longer,” he said during the relaunching of the Kemena Pacific Hospital in Bintulu today which was streamed live with the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
The Premier then cited countries like Singapore and China, which he said have a significant population of their residents who are over 100.
“I have asked one medical centre to research regenerative medicine. We have our resources in biocapacity, and you can do that research. Medical professionals and scientists can analyse whether we have those sorts of compounds in our plants that can match what is needed in regenerative medicine,” he said.
Meanwhile, during a press conference after the event, he said that Fudan Hospital in China is exploring regenerative medicine.
“This is something new in the medical field. You know, China is good at that, and we are now working to do the same with Fudan Hospital,” he said.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing; Sarawak’s Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai; Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU, and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Bintulu Division Resident Datu Nyurak Keti; general manager of Borneo Medical Group Dr Peter Tang Ing Bing; and chief medical services of Kemena Pacific Hospital Dr Thomas Lau Yun Guan were among those present at the event. — DayakDaily
