By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 22: Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has achieved a medical milestone with the successful completion of the State’s first craniosynostosis surgeries, a complex procedure that reshapes a child’s skull to allow proper brain growth.
The historic surgeries were carried out on Oct 16 and 17, marking a significant step forward in Sarawak’s capabilities for complex craniofacial procedures.
Both paediatric patients are currently recovering under close post-operative monitoring in SGH’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Paediatric Surgical Ward (PSW).
Extending his heartiest congratulations to the multidisciplinary teams involved, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian emphasised that this landmark achievement not only sets a new standard for Sarawak but also demonstrates the potential for high-level surgical care beyond Kuala Lumpur.
“The achievement was made possible through a close partnership between SGH, Hospital Bintulu, and the expert visiting team from Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL),” he said in a statement posted on his social media today.
The visiting HKL team included Mohd Ali, head of Plastic Surgery Service, Hamidah, Dr Lam Hui Yuan, and Dr Fadzlishah from the Neurosurgery Department.
The local teams comprised SGH and Bintulu plastic surgeons Dr Daphne Stephen, Dr Ragnild Redit, Dr Lee Jia Yuan, and Dr Adriana, as well as SGH neurosurgeon Dr Low Peh Hueh and his team. The surgeries were further supported by SGH’s Anaesthesia team led by Dr Teo Shu Ching, along with highly committed nursing and paramedical staff.
Dr Sim emphasised that the accomplishment underscores the exemplary spirit of teamwork and resilience among Sarawak’s medical professionals.
“Despite challenges such as underfunding, limited equipment which requires an additional RM10 million this year alone, poor remuneration and manpower shortages, the dedication, professional resilience, and passion of the medical specialists have made this historic achievement possible,” he said.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to negotiate with the Ministry of Health under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) for greater autonomy to enhance Sarawak’s healthcare system.
Dr Sim extended his gratitude to all teams involved and wished the young patients a speedy recovery.
“The minimum we can do is to recognise them and say thank you. Each and every one of the team makes us proud, even from the jungle of Borneo,” he added.
SGH emphasised that this milestone reflects the strength of inter-hospital collaboration and marks a major step forward in complex craniofacial surgery capabilities in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
