MELBOURNE: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has described the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne as a world-class institution and a strong source of inspiration for Sarawak’s own cancer care ambitions.
He said his recent visit to the cancer centre provided valuable insights that could guide Sarawak’s long-term plans in strengthening cancer care, education and research.
He expressed appreciation to his former classmate, Dr Greg Wheeler, chair of the Pediatric and Late Effects Service at Peter Mac, for hosting and showing him around the A$1 billion facility, which was relocated to its current site in 2016.
“The design of Peter Mac is truly extraordinary and highly patient-centric. It is remarkable that within just 75 years, the centre has grown into a comprehensive, world-class cancer centre and research institute.
“In Sarawak, we can learn much from Peter Mac, including the role played by the Peter Mac Foundation and its auxiliary volunteers. There is no reason why Sarawak cannot replicate a similar cancer centre, just as we successfully established the Sarawak Heart Centre,” he said.
Although the visit took place during a short family Christmas break, Dr Sim believed that opportunities for learning and collaboration must always be seized for Sarawak’s nation-building efforts.
He also expressed hope for stronger collaboration between Peter Mac and the Oncology Service at Sarawak General Hospital, with the long-term aim of supporting the development of a full-fledged Sarawak Cancer Centre.
Separately, Dr Sim paid a courtesy call on Malaysia’s Consul-General in Melbourne and noted the relocation of the Consulate General of Malaysia Melbourne to its new office.
He highlighted the important role played by the consulate, which is staffed by officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
He said the mission remains busy serving an estimated 60,000 Malaysians in Melbourne, including more than 35,000 who still hold Malaysian citizenship, and praised the dedication of Malaysian foreign mission staff.
“Despite limited manpower and resources and often being separated from their families while working odd hours, our foreign mission staff continue to serve with dedication, professionalism and a smile, representing Malaysia with distinction,” he said.
Dr Sim also expressed appreciation to the Malaysian diaspora and said he looked forward to seeing Sarawakians abroad, wherever they may be, playing their role and contributing to Sarawak’s continued development and nation building.
He expressed appreciation to his former classmate, Dr Greg Wheeler, chair of the Pediatric and Late Effects Service at Peter Mac, for hosting and showing him around the A$1 billion facility, which was relocated to its current site in 2016.
“The design of Peter Mac is truly extraordinary and highly patient-centric. It is remarkable that within just 75 years, the centre has grown into a comprehensive, world-class cancer centre and research institute.
“In Sarawak, we can learn much from Peter Mac, including the role played by the Peter Mac Foundation and its auxiliary volunteers. There is no reason why Sarawak cannot replicate a similar cancer centre, just as we successfully established the Sarawak Heart Centre,” he said.
Although the visit took place during a short family Christmas break, Dr Sim believed that opportunities for learning and collaboration must always be seized for Sarawak’s nation-building efforts.
He also expressed hope for stronger collaboration between Peter Mac and the Oncology Service at Sarawak General Hospital, with the long-term aim of supporting the development of a full-fledged Sarawak Cancer Centre.
Separately, Dr Sim paid a courtesy call on Malaysia’s Consul-General in Melbourne and noted the relocation of the Consulate General of Malaysia Melbourne to its new office.
He highlighted the important role played by the consulate, which is staffed by officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
He said the mission remains busy serving an estimated 60,000 Malaysians in Melbourne, including more than 35,000 who still hold Malaysian citizenship, and praised the dedication of Malaysian foreign mission staff.
“Despite limited manpower and resources and often being separated from their families while working odd hours, our foreign mission staff continue to serve with dedication, professionalism and a smile, representing Malaysia with distinction,” he said.
Dr Sim also expressed appreciation to the Malaysian diaspora and said he looked forward to seeing Sarawakians abroad, wherever they may be, playing their role and contributing to Sarawak’s continued development and nation building.