KUCHING, July 10: Pusat Jantung Sarawak of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has been recognised as one of the Best Specialised Hospitals in the Asia Pacific region for the year 2023 by Newsweek, an American weekly news magazine providing in-depth analysis, news, and opinion about international issues, technology, business, culture, and politics.
Ranked 48 on the list of 100, it is the only public hospital from Malaysia acknowledged for specialised cardiological services.
“(This is) A recognition, acknowledgement, and testimonial of the fine young men and women who started the service 22 years ago.
“I am honoured and privileged to be part of the great team,” said Sarawak Health, Local Government, and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian in a social media post.
In 2001, SGH started offering cardiac services to patients. By 2011, the cardiac services had grown from a section within SGH into a full-fledged hospital when it was moved to the existing site at Kota Samarahan.
“Five days before the relocation of services and beginning operation in the new hospital, I was still unable to settle with top management of KKM (the Health Ministry) on the naming of the new hospital,” said Dr Sim.
If the hospital were named Samarahan Medical Centre, Dr Sim said the 10-year international efforts would go down the drain.
He also felt vindicated as the hospital has not turned up as a “white elephant” as some had accused it would be during that time.
In 2016, the hospital was finally named Pusat Jantung Sarawak.
“(I am) so proud of the fine young men and women serving after me, carrying the service to new heights, getting the much-deserved recognition, acknowledgement and respect by Newsweek.
“Truly personally satisfying and grateful to my colleagues and team for believing in the same vision and pursuing the same mission as passionately now as 22 years ago,” said Dr Sim.
He also expressed his gratitude to ministers, director-generals, permanent secretaries of the Health Ministry as well as NGO partners, including the Sarawak Foundation, the Sarawak Artists Association, the Rotary Club and international cardiology centres such as Nanjing Heart Centre and American College of Cardiology. — DayakDaily
