SUBANG JAYA, 5 December 2009 - Cancer patients in Malaysia and those from across the Causeway now have the option to opt for a second medical consultation and/or follow-up treatment at either Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya (SDMC SJ) or the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) following the establishment of a preferred referral partnership between both medical facilities.

The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 5 Dec 2009 which will enable both medical facilities to make referrals of consenting patients from time to time on a need basis, to each other for second medical consultation and/or for follow-up treatment.

“The collaboration between SDMC SJ’s Cancer and Radiosurgery Centre and NCCS is aimed at ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process for our respective patients who travel to both countries for management and treatment of their medical condition,” according to Sime Darby Healthcare Group chief executive officer, Elaine Cheong.

All referrals will be made in the interest and welfare of the patients, she assured, adding that both parties will also cooperate to provide financial counseling to the patient regarding the referral.

The SDMC Cancer and Radiosurgery Centre took in its first patient in October 2001. Since then it has made great strides in acquiring the most sophisticated medical systems such as the 64-slice PET/CT scanner, 3D High Dose Rate brachytherapy system and Micro-Multileaf Collimator for high-resolution and accurate diagnosis, staging and treatment of cancer.

Cheong said cancer is one of the main areas of focus for tertiary care for SDMC SJ, which was the reason why Sime Darby had invested more than the budgeted RM24 million to set up the cancer centre at its 393-bed flagship hospital.

“We aim to make our cancer centre a regional centre of excellence through the continuous acquisition of revolutionary medical technologies and high quality patient care combined with good patient outcomes. Our approach to provide quality treatment through highly superior medical expertise and technology supported by patient-centric care has resulted in our Cancer & Radiosurgery Centre becoming a fast-growing cancer referral facility in this region,” she added.

NCCS was represented at the signing ceremony by Associate Professor Koo Wen Hsin, who is the Centre’s Deputy Director. He said NCCS is pleased to work with SDMC SJ and share its comprehensive range of services and expertise for the good of the community.

NCCS has established itself as one of the key cancer research and medical centres offering multi-disciplinary approach to cancer care and treatment in this part of Asia. Many research findings by its clinician scientists were published in internationally recognized medical publications. As the national cancer centre in Singapore, NCCS treats about 70% of all public sector cancer patients.

Prof Koo said, “NCCS is widely known for its research efforts which resulted from our collaborations with many international cancer centres. We have also been successful in several translational research work whereby our patients have derived direct benefits as a result.”

During the same ceremony, SDMC SJ also signed another MOU with Hospis Malaysia to establish a framework for referral of patients for medical evaluation and/or for palliative care, which involves treatment and care of patients diagnosed with life-threatening conditions. Dr Ednin Hamzah, chief executive officer of Hospis Malaysia, signed the MOU on behalf of Hospis Malaysia.

To mark the occasion, SDMC SJ held a two-day Open Day at its cancer centre that was filled with activities and health talks by its panel of consultants.

The open day showcased, among others, public seminars on cancers and related topics, nutrition and medical technology advances in managing cancer. The focus was on therapies aimed at curing, prolonging life and improving the quality of life of cancer patients, as well as supportive care, ways in which the burden of cancer could be reduced. Much emphasis was placed on early detection and treatment of cancers through screening, an effective route to better clinical outcomes.

The launch and signing ceremonies were officiated by the Chairman of SDMC SJ’s Board of Directors, Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Datuk Seri Ahmad Shah Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj, who also took the opportunity to congratulate the hospital management on its recent success of achieving the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.

“The recent prestigious JCI accreditation achieved by Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya in meeting international health care quality standards for patient care and organization management, is testimony to the commitment we made to high standards and best practices,” Tengku Datuk Seri Ahmad Shah said.

He added that cancer is the leading cause of deaths worldwide based on statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), which reported that of the 58 million deaths in 2006, 7.6 million were from cancer. In view of this, SDMC SJ would continue to conduct and collaborate with other organisations in programmes related to education, research and treatment of cancer.

Back to top