SIBU: Sibu Hospital has received 10 High Dependency Unit (HDU) patient care beds and a range of medical equipment, funded under the Unity Government’s PMR allocation, to establish its own Neurosurgery HDU.
The handover was carried out on Thursday (Sept 11) by Sibu MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew, who said the new facilities would significantly enhance healthcare services for neurosurgical patients in the region.
He noted that Sibu is now the second location in Sarawak, after Kuching, to set up a Neurosurgery HDU.
“With the number of stroke, cerebral haemorrhage, intracranial surgery, and brain tumour patients increasing every year, the establishment of a professional HDU is both urgent and necessary.”
Ling explained that neurosurgical patients are often more vulnerable to infections, such as pneumonia, if admitted to the same Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as other patients.
By creating a dedicated Neurosurgery HDU, these patients can receive specialised care while reducing the risk of cross-infection.
“This segregation mechanism ensures patients receive safer and more targeted treatment.”
According to Ministry of Health data, the government spends about RM10 billion annually to treat infectious diseases, while indirect losses from reduced productivity and economic impact amount to as much as RM64 billion.
Even more concerning, Ling added, is the rise of non-communicable diseases, with high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and high cholesterol—commonly referred to as the “Three Highs”—being the main contributors to stroke and heart disease.
“High blood pressure causes blood vessel walls to thicken and harden, high glucose levels damage the vessels, while cholesterol buildup leads to plaque formation. Together, these factors create a ticking ‘health time bomb’.”
Ling stressed the importance of timely intervention, highlighting the medical saying, “Time is brain.”
He said stroke patients risk permanent impairment to speech and mobility if they do not receive treatment within the golden window of three to four-and-a-half hours, further underscoring the need for the Neurosurgery HDU.
Calling on the public to prioritise preventive healthcare, Ling advised reducing sugar intake, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
He also recalled allocating RM500,000 in 2019 for the construction of Phase One of the hospital’s parking lot, providing 125 spaces, followed by another RM500,000 for Phase Two, which added 118 more spaces to address the hospital’s long-standing parking shortage.
“Now, with the handover of 10 special patient care beds, Sibu Hospital’s infrastructure and services are being progressively upgraded, offering greater assurance to the local community.
“This is not just the handover of medical equipment; it is an important step forward in making Sibu’s healthcare more comprehensive and professional.”
He noted that Sibu is now the second location in Sarawak, after Kuching, to set up a Neurosurgery HDU.
“With the number of stroke, cerebral haemorrhage, intracranial surgery, and brain tumour patients increasing every year, the establishment of a professional HDU is both urgent and necessary.”
Ling explained that neurosurgical patients are often more vulnerable to infections, such as pneumonia, if admitted to the same Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as other patients.
By creating a dedicated Neurosurgery HDU, these patients can receive specialised care while reducing the risk of cross-infection.
“This segregation mechanism ensures patients receive safer and more targeted treatment.”
According to Ministry of Health data, the government spends about RM10 billion annually to treat infectious diseases, while indirect losses from reduced productivity and economic impact amount to as much as RM64 billion.
Even more concerning, Ling added, is the rise of non-communicable diseases, with high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and high cholesterol—commonly referred to as the “Three Highs”—being the main contributors to stroke and heart disease.
“High blood pressure causes blood vessel walls to thicken and harden, high glucose levels damage the vessels, while cholesterol buildup leads to plaque formation. Together, these factors create a ticking ‘health time bomb’.”
Ling stressed the importance of timely intervention, highlighting the medical saying, “Time is brain.”
He said stroke patients risk permanent impairment to speech and mobility if they do not receive treatment within the golden window of three to four-and-a-half hours, further underscoring the need for the Neurosurgery HDU.
Calling on the public to prioritise preventive healthcare, Ling advised reducing sugar intake, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
He also recalled allocating RM500,000 in 2019 for the construction of Phase One of the hospital’s parking lot, providing 125 spaces, followed by another RM500,000 for Phase Two, which added 118 more spaces to address the hospital’s long-standing parking shortage.
“Now, with the handover of 10 special patient care beds, Sibu Hospital’s infrastructure and services are being progressively upgraded, offering greater assurance to the local community.
“This is not just the handover of medical equipment; it is an important step forward in making Sibu’s healthcare more comprehensive and professional.”